Force 50hp no forward gear

[Hamburgertrain]

Hello,
I have an old force 50hp that I have taken out a few times. I just tried putting it back in the water yesterday and I only have reverse gear. In forward gear the engine revs up and nothing else. I'm stumped, I've tried adjusting the control cables and have had no luck. Is the lower unit toasted? Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks

 

[hamburgerman]

Re: Force 50hp no forward gear

have you checked the shift linkage?

 

[Hamburgertrain]

Re: Force 50hp no forward gear

No I haven't. I'm not sure how to check the linkages.

 

[Windykid]

Re: Force 50hp no forward gear

If you have cable linkage disconnect and try to shift manual.

 

[sdunt]

Re: Force 50hp no forward gear

No I haven't. I'm not sure how to check the linkages.

The 1st suggestion taking off the control cables under the hood and trying to shift the motor manually should be the 1st place to start. You can do this out of the water with out the motor running. Shift in to reverse and rotate the prop ( it could take 1/2 to 1 full rotation before the clutch drops into place) should you shouldn't be able to turn the prop unless you turn the motor.

Shift into forward and try the same thing. Also does pushing the lever to the extreme get the clutch to start to catch? Also what does your LU oil look like? Milky - water in it, or lots of metal shavings in it?

Next there is a rod that runs down from the shift arm you were moving to the lower unit to actually move the clutch dog around. If you remove the covers on the motor leg you should find an adjustment for this shaft on the right side of the motor leg. Use a permanent marker and mark where the coupler is right now. (in case you need to set it back) Also mark where the shaft is when shifted into forward and reverse.

Loosen the lock nut and adjust the length of the shaft a little, does the clutch start to grab? You will have to kind of center the adjustment to where both forward and reverse clutch works.

Here is a really good write up on how LU's work and how to adjust them, this is for an OMC, but you can figure out the differences..
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/columns/max/index1.htm