Boat going in reverse but not forward.

[Drewzieroth]

Last year I wrecked my lower unit on my 1980’s 40hp Yamaha outboard. I recently bought a lower unit on eBay and did the install myself. When I took it to the lake to try it out I could get the boat to go in reverse but not forward. I removed the shifting cable and manually shifted it into forward and still nothing. When I put the prop on it seems there is a huge gap between the prop and lower unit. It is not right but I can’t for the life of my figure it out. It seems like the thrust washer does not sit like it’s supposed to even though it’s the exact same prop. Could it not going forward be thrust washer related? I know I need a new prop I just didn’t want to buy one until I knew I could fix it.

 

[stresspoint]

did you locate the shifting splines in the correct orientation to the shifting rod ?.
can you hear the gear attempt to engage at all IE: does the shift make a clunk or something as it would if it was to engage .

 

[Drewzieroth]

did you locate the shifting splines in the correct orientation to the shifting rod ?.
can you hear the gear attempt to engage at all IE: does the shift make a clunk or something as it would if it was to engage .

I guess I’m not entirely sure. I thought it could only go together of splines were aligned but I have no prior outboard knowledge before this. I think I could hear it trying to engage as shifted it but I would have to try again to know for sure.

 

[airshot]

From the pics, it appears the prop shaft is sticking out to far from the housing.

 

[stresspoint]

From the pics, it appears the prop shaft is sticking out to far from the housing.

looks like the thrust washer is backward , not on the taper .

 

[flashback]

looks like the thrust washer is backward , not on the taper .

That would be my guess too.

 

[racerone]

SOUNDS----like shift rod needs to be adjusted at the couler.-----Hurry to a shop to save big $$$.

 

[racerone]

Darn keyboard has a mind of it's own.-----Coupler

 

[airshot]

Darn keyboard has a mind of it's own.-----Coupler

Between that and fat fingers, I get that often !!

 

[99yam40]

since the OP did not give the motors model number we have no ideaa what it is.
but Yamaha switched to a twist to shift in 1995 ,I would have to guess his 80s 40 is a push and pull shift rod.

drop the lower unit again and place the lower unit in reverse and the shifter in reverse and hook back up.

I believe the lower unit is spring loaded in forward, and the shifter pas to push the spring to get to neutral and reverse.
at least my 1999 twist is set up that way.

lets hope he purchased to correct lower unit and the shift rod was not pulled up too far somewhere down the line.
that might cause the lower to be opened up to get it back into place.

 

[wmgeorge]

looks like the thrust washer is backward , not on the taper .

Sounds like he either needs to find someone locally to fix or get a Service manual and start over.

 

[airshot]

Might have found his issue and to embarrased to let us know.

 

[stresspoint]

Might have found his issue and to embarrassed to let us know.

there is never a need to be embarrassed when you put the effort to have a go yourself at something and you mess something up.
that's where forums full of people that have messed stuff up come from.

ill be the first to admit that if it was not for those people i would mess more stuff up .