50hp johnson, no reverse when throttle applied

boatsarockn

Recruit
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
1
Idling in reverse it stays in gear, once throttle is applied it seems to kick out of reverse. There are 2 linkage adjustments on thumbscrews one upper, one lower. Will adjusting one of these possibly allow the motor to stay in gear once reverse throttle is applied?
 

sutor623

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 23, 2011
Messages
4,089
Re: 50hp johnson, no reverse when throttle applied

Idling in reverse it stays in gear, once throttle is applied it seems to kick out of reverse. There are 2 linkage adjustments on thumbscrews one upper, one lower. Will adjusting one of these possibly allow the motor to stay in gear once reverse throttle is applied?

Yes but often when you adjust an older linkage, you get either a smooth shift into forward OR reverse. The linkages strech out. I would adjust it and see if it stays in gear. If so get a linkage cable, if not you are going to need a clutch or a reverse gear in the lower unit. Often times people wear out there forward gear and switch it with the reverse gear. Check the linkage FIRST!
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: 50hp johnson, no reverse when throttle applied

Got a model #
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: 50hp johnson, no reverse when throttle applied

Before you do anything, simply disconnect the shift cable and manually put the unit in reverse. Now apply some throttle. If it jumps out of gear the problem is in the lower unit. If it doesn't the problem is in the cable adjustment or control box. Adjustment cannot compensate for a bad/stretched cable. You can adjust for one direction but by doing so it misadjusts the other. Do it right and do it according to the manual. This has been covered many times here so use the search feature.
 
Top