35hp wont stay in gear

[ReeseK]

I have a 1981 35 hp after rebuilding the lower unit. it will not stay in forward gear it kicks back to neutral or bucks at higher rpms I have dismantled the lower unit and found nothing out of the ordinary all bushings and gears look good. reason for rebuild thrust washer broke apart and intermingled with fwd and rev gears (not pretty). The engine itself runs great. any ideas

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 35hp wont stay in gear

How did the dogs look on the shifter clutch? Also, make sure the cable is properly adjusted. You might try removing it and shifting manually, to see if the problem persists.

 

[ReeseK]

Re: 35hp wont stay in gear

I removed the shift cable and I could manually hold it into gear but if I let go it would come out. I think you are refering to the part that pushes the main drive frwd or rear that engages the actual drive if I am right it appeared fine. I compared it to the old one they look the same but it is not new.<br />with the motor off I can put it into gear and there is no back pressure pushing it back into neutral. so I am assuming it has to do with the spinning of the prop. I am tempted to pull the shaft linkage apart at the joint behind the intake fins and put it in a trash can of water and start it then shift using a pair of pliers would this be a smart idea or a risk? I would think it would let me guarantee its in the lower unit BEFORE I tear it down again although I am getting pretty fast at tearing it down.<br />thanks for the help

 

[rwise]

Re: 35hp wont stay in gear

I think you'll through water everwhere, etc safety etc. it sound like the clutch dog (and gear/s) is worn the surface the engages with the forward (or reverse) gear must be in good shape. nice and square at the edge. but, if the linkage is out of adjustment it could jump out of gear also. this will damage the clutch dog fast.

 

[flexon_guy]

Re: 35hp wont stay in gear

Reesek<br /><br />I have the same problem with my 35. Although it kicks out in reverse as well. Already checked the cable its not that. Next I am going to check the linkage that runs down the main shaft to see if that is set correctlly. If not lasly I will remove the lower unit and examine the clutch dog and gears.<br /><br />I have not examined the manual on this yet. But If I were you since you had it appart and think the gears are o.k. I would make sure the shift rod that runs down the inside of the engine shaft is connected correctly. Is there a window that allows you to disconnect the shift rod to disconnect the lower unit?<br /><br />Mike

 

[walterbenedikter]

Re: 35hp wont stay in gear

If it helps, to disconnect the shift shaft you may find the 1/2 inch bolts behind the water intake screens.

 

[ReeseK]

Re: 35hp wont stay in gear

I am in the process of removing the lower unit again to recheck the dog n gears. I am pretty sure as I remove the two 1/2 nuts that hold the linkage together they appear to be ok I cannot get them apart or any movement. although the problem with a slipping linkage shaft would deffenatly appear in forward because of it pulling up to go into fwd and thats where the slippage could happen.

 

[ReeseK]

Re: 35hp wont stay in gear

easy enough to fix during rebuild put the thrust washer at the rear of the fwd gear vs the front and the clutch dog could not fully engage the dogs of the gear and receive the correct amount of tension from the balls and spring inside the clutch dog. hope that makes sense.