86 Johnson 30 not shifting..

[Darren G]

Hi I just bought an older starcraft to rebuild and it has a 86 30 hp motor on it, when I fired the motor it runs SUPER and purrs like a kitten but when i went threw the gears to make sure reverse , neutral, and forward worked ,every thing was fine the first time but now it is stuck in forward and it is like there is no resistance in trying to get it to neutral or reverse is there a pin or key in these motors that could have sheared? now the shifting handle just floats back and forth doing nothing lol.. HELP PLEASE im trying to learn all I can about this boat as I plan on keeping her for a long time.. but this has me really confused.. thanks for your time.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: 86 Johnson 30 not shifting..

Hi I just bought an older starcraft to rebuild and it has a 86 30 hp motor on it, when I fired the motor it runs SUPER and purrs like a kitten but when i went threw the gears to make sure reverse , neutral, and forward worked ,every thing was fine the first time but now it is stuck in forward and it is like there is no resistance in trying to get it to neutral or reverse is there a pin or key in these motors that could have sheared? now the shifting handle just floats back and forth doing nothing lol.. HELP PLEASE im trying to learn all I can about this boat as I plan on keeping her for a long time.. but this has me really confused.. thanks for your time.

I would start by checking the shift linkage. Remove the screen #26. When shifting, it should move up/down.

http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...J30ECDM&manufacturer=Johnson&section=Gearcase

 

[Darren G]

Re: 86 Johnson 30 not shifting..

ty Jasper I did check it b4 I fired it up and cleaned the screen as it had a few leaves stuck in it and it moved pretty good up and down , but I did`nt check after the shift lever went slack I`ll do that. tomorrow and report back. thanks again..

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 86 Johnson 30 not shifting..

Tiller or are you running it via remote?

 

[Darren G]

Re: 86 Johnson 30 not shifting..

well it looks to be a tiller conversion? it is on the controls to use with a stearing wheel, I thought it might be the stearing cables but it is not as I took the cable off the shifter so I could be in the back of the boat to watch the water tank and make sure all was working now I just have a dead shifter heck a good wind could move it back and forth now lol..the mod # is J30ELCDM.

 

[Darren G]

Re: 86 Johnson 30 not shifting..

oops just looked it up High Trim it is via remote but was still unhooked at the shifter so I guess the remote is ok except for the constant beeping from the remote haha but that is a problem for a later date lol.

 

[Darren G]

Re: 86 Johnson 30 not shifting..

ok Jasper it is in the lower unit i think cuz when I move the shifter on the side of the motor the shifting rod on the inside is going up and down ( took off the side screens on the lower unit to see) just not shifting the lower unit. is this a bad deal?? and can an average joe make the repair ?

 

[Darren G]

Re: 86 Johnson 30 not shifting..

guess i will find out myself lol ordered a johnson shop manual and a service manual i`ll figure it out has to be the shift fork or clutch dog ,I hope if not the lower unit don`t work anyways right haha.. thanks to Jasper for takeing time to help a guy out..

 

[jasper60103]

Re: 86 Johnson 30 not shifting..

guess i will find out myself lol ordered a johnson shop manual and a service manual i`ll figure it out has to be the shift fork or clutch dog ,I hope if not the lower unit don`t work anyways right haha.. thanks to Jasper for takeing time to help a guy out..

Hmmm. I would inspect that shifter before opening the LU. It sounds strange it just flops back and forward like you describe. Sorry I can't be more help. Keep us posted.

 

[Darren G]

Re: 86 Johnson 30 not shifting..

haha good day today I got a repair manual and got to reading it and the whole problem was the previous owner did a booboo and took out the shift pivot screw when changing the LU oil so was a super easy fix I just dropped the LU to take the pressure off the shift fork moved it were it was suppose to be reinserted the screw , put it all back together and walla shifts like new..

 

[jasper60103]

Re: 86 Johnson 30 not shifting..

haha good day today I got a repair manual and got to reading it and the whole problem was the previous owner did a booboo and took out the shift pivot screw when changing the LU oil so was a super easy fix I just dropped the LU to take the pressure off the shift fork moved it were it was suppose to be reinserted the screw , put it all back together and walla shifts like new..

That pivot screw is a major gotcha. Happens all the time.
Glad to hear you fixed it w/o having to tear into the LU.
I really like my 30. Its a great motor.
Post some pics of your new motor and boat!