Evinrude Sportwin clutch dog question

[duckhunter4x4]

Hey guys I've been browsing the forum for awhile and finally decided to post!!
I have searched around alot for the answer to my questions and most have been answered but I have a few more that hopefully someone can help me out with!

I have an Evinrude Sportwin 10hp? I think it was made in the 60's. I use it on my duck hunting boat and it's a great engine but last weekend I was out scouting and running around on the river for about 4 hours and I would say about 2 hours into it my motor start acting like it was "hitting logs" and jumping around. I googled it and discovered that this is a symptom of a clutch dog going out. But my motor has never once slipped out of gear or anything like that it just starting acting like it was hitting stuff.
So my first question is in fact does this sound like a clutch dog going out? What will happen if I run my motor a little while longer with this problem like say for 4 more hours?
Secondly I have read that I need to check my shifting linkage and that it may be out of adjustment? Could this me the reason for it "jumping" like it is?
Kind of along post but basically my motor is acting like it is hitting something when it's not actually hitting something but I need to use it in the morning to run up the river for opening morning of duck season and will running this motor in the shape it's in destroy anything?

Thanks

Barry

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Evinrude Sportwin clutch dog question

Barry, It sounds like a slipping clutch dog. Continuing to run it will make it worse. A service manual will tell you how to adjust the shift linkage. Sometimes you can swap the dog and the gears around and that will allow you to resue the parts. I was able to do tha on my '58 Fat Fifty. Not sure on your motor.

 

[duckhunter4x4]

Re: Evinrude Sportwin clutch dog question

Ya I have read alot about flipping the gears which I think will be my next move. But I really need to use the motor in the morning, but I don't want to do something that will "destroy" it and cost me lots more $$ to fix lol

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Evinrude Sportwin clutch dog question

Right now, you likely only have a worn clutch dog. Running it any longer can very well ruin the gears, and if something breaks, can take the gearcase with it. As they say, they ain't making those parts anymore. You can usually find NOS clutch dogs without having to take out a second mortgage. You can on rare occasions find NOS gears and housings - but they're generally priced accordingly.

Bottom line - DO NOT run it any more until it is fixed as you can destroy the unit... Checking the linkage is a good first step, but if you haven't changed anything and nothing is loose, it's probably the clutch dog.

 

[duckhunter4x4]

Re: Evinrude Sportwin clutch dog question

The reason I want to check the linkage is because I put a new water pump impeller in it about a year ago and I didn't pay much attention to the linkage so I'm wondering if it is out it adjustment, because this motor has run perfect and been rock solid then out of no here it starts having this problem.
If that linkage is out of adjustment could that be what is causing the motor to jump like this?

 

[kbait]

Re: Evinrude Sportwin clutch dog question

You can test the linkage as follows. Motor off. Turn prop slowly by hand and move shift handle from Neutral into Forward. Note the distance from N until it engages F. Now do the same from N to Reverse and note the distance. If they're equal, or if it shifts to F a bit sooner, you're likely good there. If that's good, you could have a bent shift fork, or gummed-up fork/dog cradle interface that's causing it to pop out and in, but most likely will be the clutchdog/Forward gear interface (disassemble to know for sure). You can flip the clutchdog, but not the gears (forward and reverse gears are different). If you continue to use, you'll wear the F gear more, and it may not work w/new (or reversed' clutchdog. Gears are MUCH more expensive than dogs!

If you have to use it before repair, just go slow enough so it doesn't pop out and you'll do no further damage.

Good luck,
kirby

 

[lindy46]

Re: Evinrude Sportwin clutch dog question

Remove the cover on the side of the leg and see if both shift rods are firmly attached to the coupler. Two bolts hold the upper and lower shift rods in the coupler. If both bolts are securely in place, remove the bottom one and detach the lower shift rod. Then with a long-nosed plier, reach in and see if there is any up and down play in the upper shift rod. If there is ANY play, that could be the cause of the problem (worn linkage under the powerhead). If there is no play and the shift rods are secure, then most likely, you'll need to replace the clutch dog and possibly the forward gear.