40 hp Force Jumps from Forward to neutral

[Backpackerii]

I am new to boating and I purchased a 16ft grumman with a 1992 40 hp Force engine. I have had it out 4 times and each time I had to be towed back in for different reasons . The last time the pin that holds the upper and lower shift rod had fallen off. It would only go in reverse and neutral. I took it in and had it turned up, replaced the water pump, rebuilt the fuel pump (found a hold in the fuel pump membrane), new fuel filter, new plugs, etc. Put it in the water and had a hard time starting it but was successful. As I cruised every once in awhile the motor would jerk, the faster I went the harder it would jerk . It seemed like it was going from forward to neutral than back into forward, no problem in reverse. I took it back to the mechanic, he said the lu was shot, I took to another mechanic and they said it was shot. In reading the forum I am wondering if anyone else had this problem and if you can give me any recommendations? Thank you in advance.

 

[timdan94]

Re: 40 hp Force Jumps from Forward to neutral

did it kick out and then back in real quick causing a hard jerking? if it did it was the same problem I had with my 1985 85 hp. I found out that it was the clutch dogs that were rounded off. I took it apart and had my dad who is a machinist mill them down so they had sharp edges again and it works fine now

 

[Backpackerii]

Re: 40 hp Force Jumps from Forward to neutral

Timdan94,

Yes it did, really kicked in and out quick and hard. I am going to lower the unit myself and see what I can do. The engine has very good compression and is in nice shape. I have the repair manual and I have nothing to lose by seeing what I can do. How difficult did you find the task? Thank you.

Dan

 

[timdan94]

Re: 40 hp Force Jumps from Forward to neutral

if you have the proper tools it really isn't that bad. you're going to need bearing pullers, someone that can mill the clutch dogs down so the edges are sharp again. I had to drop the lower unit, take the prop off, then I had to pull the shaft and gears out then disassemble that assembly to get the clutch dog out.