How to adjust the linkage

[seahorse197220]

I need help with how to adjust the linkage on a 1972 Johnson 20. Is it one of the screws by the lever, and if it is what do I do with it. I believe this is why my motor is slipping out of forward into neutarl. Thanks for the help.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: How to adjust the linkage

Hi seahorse. There should be a little oval shaped window on the exhaust leg with a small plate on it. You'll need to remove the plate to access the shift rod coupler found behind it. There's not much room to work in there so you'll probably want/need a pair of needle nose pliers to help align everything. You'll first want to remove the lower bolt only from the shift rod coupler. You'll then want to flip the gear select lever into FWD, which should disconnect the coupler. You now want to tug up as high as you can on the lower shift shaft rod using the needle nose pliers, then lower the coupler down on top of the rod such that the hole in the coupler lines up with the bevel in the top of the rod by flipping the gear select lever into REV. This should allow the shift rod coupler bolt to be reinstalled correctly. The couple sort of acts like the old woven Chinese finger locks you played with as a kid. To test the repair, with the motor off and s'plug themselves removed and the wires disconnected from the plugs for safety, put the motor into FWD gear. The prop should spin CLOCKWISE about 1/8-1/4 turn before it engages and becomes solid. With the plugs out, you should also be able to rotate the flywheel CLOCKWISE by hand, which should also cause the prop to spin CLOCKWISE when in FWD gear. Now flip the gear select lever to the middle, Neutral position. The props should spin freely in either direction, and spinning the flywheel CW by hand again should not cause the prop to move at all. Now put the motor in REV and spin the prop again by hand. This time in the COUNTER CLOCKWISE direction. It should engage after about 1/4-1/8 of a turn. You should again rotate the flywheel CLOCKWISE by hand and observe the prop now spinning counterclockwise indicating REV. Give these tests a try and let us know what you find. Of course, no lower end test is complete until you get the motor on the water and under maximum load. If the slipping persists while on the water, you may have a spun hub on your prop and/or a worn clutch dog. Give these tests a try and let us know what you find. Good luck!

 

[seahorse197220]

Re: How to adjust the linkage

Thanks kfa4303. Should be able to post something back in a few days.

 

[F_R]

Re: How to adjust the linkage

That motor has a detent clutch dog. The lower unit "snaps" into neutral in a definite position. At the powerhead, the shifter has a pin and roller that rides in a vertical interlock bar. There is a spring at the top end of that bar.

SO,,,,,put the shifter in neutral, and then hold the interlock bar away from the shifter by pushing the top end against the spring. Now note the position of the roller in relation to the neutral notch in the interlock. It should be aligned. If it is not aligned, loosen the two screws in the shifter handle and repositon it so it does align with the notch and tighten the screws. That's all the adjustment there is.

Related to that is loosness in the linkage. While you have that interlock pushed away from the shifter, gently move the shifter fore and aft, checking for sloppyness. Movement should be minimal. If you have excessive slop, something is beaten loose, probably the clevis lever on the inner end of the shifter shaft (you have to remove the powerhead if that is the case)

What beats the clevis loose? A worn out clutch dog. You can't fix just one and expect it to hold up. The trick is to replace that worn out dog BEFORE it beats the linkage to death.

 

[seahorse197220]

Re: How to adjust the linkage

Ok, adjusted it. I run well in the bucket. What does it mean if it I get in the water and it does it again?