1987 Force 125 tower shaft linkage frozen/seized

pbob42

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 14, 2023
Messages
45
Got this on a nice little 19' Trophy. Boat hasn't seen water for 10 years. Motor and prop spin freely. Control cables were split, removed them and see that the tower shaft/throttle linkage is frozen. I'm thinking my lower unit is locked up.
insides of the Top look pretty good. Have wiring issues to clean up. Hate to just toss the motor. Any suggestions?
 

pbob42

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 14, 2023
Messages
45
Got my throttle linkage adjusted properly so I have some movement in my shaft linkage, but I am not able to move my lower shift shaft out of neutral. Shifter 1.jpg

I'll work on cleaning up my starter connections to get a compression test. Thanks
 

pbob42

Seaman Apprentice
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Jul 14, 2023
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45
that prop spins freely when I am trying to shift. Let me see if I can get that starter engaged. Got corrosion on my cables.
 

The Force power

Commander
Joined
Feb 3, 2019
Messages
2,335
that prop spins freely when I am trying to shift. Let me see if I can get that starter engaged. Got corrosion on my cables.
You need to spin the prop WHILE you shift into gear.
Have you drained the gear-oil to see the color as jerryjerry has suggested
 

Nordin

Commander
Joined
Jun 12, 2010
Messages
2,555
Check out your throttle pick up point adjustment and throttle rod adjustment.
You should have a little play to advance the throttle when starting.
In the pic it is to tight.
 

pbob42

Seaman Apprentice
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Jul 14, 2023
Messages
45
well - had a good day yesterday. cleaned up my starter cables and got her spinning. Squirted a shot of 2 stroke in each cylinder just for caution. Comp was 140, 142, 144, 144.

Fired a shot of starter fluid and she even fired up for 10 secs.

I'll get on the gear oil next. Onward and upward.

thanks for guidance. Messed with a lot of 2-stroke jetskis. This is a different animal.
 

pbob42

Seaman Apprentice
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Jul 14, 2023
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45
opened the oil drain. empty. Prop spins. Going to fill her up and see what happens.
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,037
The drain plug on the bottom of the drive could be an allen head set screw??? IT'S VERY EASY TO STRIP!!! Hard to find sometimes.
If it doesn't come easy? you can use a propane torch and heat the area around the plug. The heat won't hurt any thing unless you really get it hot (not likely)
If it's damaged?? replace it and use a good tape sealer or goop it. Had twin 88/85's and both drain plugs weeped a small amount of oil no matter what I did.
 

pbob42

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 14, 2023
Messages
45
Motor is idling. Puts some square muffs on it. First time. Supposed to work on this motor. Water squirting out on the sides. None coming out with the exhaust. Motor is idling nicely (less than 30 seconds). Figure to get an impeller kit. It there supposed to be a lot of water squirting out the sides of this cooling muff.

To the lower unit:

found the #44 allen, and yes it strips easy. My son was on the wrench. Any suggestions?

If number #32 is a standard screw that is labeled vent, or next to the one labeled vent, we removed it. I hope the world is not coming to an end.
 
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