Gear shift stuck in forward on 35hp Seahorse

[LoftyDave]

The gearshift is stuck in forward gear on my 1984 35hp Johnson Seahorse. This happened when I took the motor off to make it easier to move the boat across the shingle to it's new mooring, was in neutral when taken off, but got moved to forwards in the move (shift leaver is now a bit further forward than originally). I don't think it is the gearbox as when I undo the linkage at the water intake the gears are shifted to neutral but the shift rod is rigid. The gears are pulled back to forwards again when I reconnect. I suspect the gear shift rod has somehow jammed under the power head, does anyone know if this is this difficult to take apart or will I have to take it to a shop?
Many Thanks
Dave

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Gear shift stuck in forward on 35hp Seahorse

Is the throttle all the way back to the fully retard (slow/stop) position? If advanced, it locks the shift action.

 

[LoftyDave]

Re: Gear shift stuck in forward on 35hp Seahorse

Is the throttle all the way back to the fully retard (slow/stop) position? If advanced, it locks the shift action.

Thanks for the info Joe, I did not know that. Unfortunately that does not seem to be the problem, I made sure throttle was all the way back but no luck, I even wound the throttle screw out a bit further. but it's still stuck in forwards!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Gear shift stuck in forward on 35hp Seahorse

You might look to see if there may have been any damage done to the shift/throttle linkage.

 

[LoftyDave]

Re: Gear shift stuck in forward on 35hp Seahorse

You might look to see if there may have been any damage done to the shift/throttle linkage.

Everything seems to be connected up ok. I would strip it down myself as I am sure the problem is with the connection from the gear shift to the gear shift rod. Unfortunately there are a couple of bolts that are inaccessible without a special spanner, so I will have to take it to a shop (unless anyone knows a simple way of undoing these two bolts).