Re: My Walleye Project - 70's Sea Nymph SS160 1668
Thanks Sig! That's awesome...and I would happily oblige on the brews! That makes me feel better too, as that is now the 2nd hydro shift I own. The one I plan on puttin on this build is the 50 HP hydro. Any tips and tricks with these? I know you cannot change from D to Neutral unless the motor is running? Does that sound right? While turning over my 50, the prop was spinning even tho the controls said N.
Yes you can't shift it until attempting to start the engine. Sounds like it is stuck in limp home mode, hydro electrics actually stay in forward gear as a fail safe to get you home. I actually have a complete 50 hp lower unit I think missing the solenoids, funny enough I have a set of repaired solenoids too.
The first thing I would do is change the gear oil, when you do so make sure you only use OMC type C or premium blend.
Get a jumper wire with alligator clips and run one end from the hot side of the starter solenoid ( any constant hot will work) Look on port side of the engine you will see two wires coming out of the port side from underneath the exhaust manifold there should be a blue and green wire. Take the jumper wire and run from the hot to the blue wire and the green wire. When the hot touches you should hear a click in the lower unit. One wire energized shifts the lower unit out of forward and into neutral (I can't remember off hand if it is the blue or green) when both wires are energized the lower unit shifts into reverse. Either way you go about it first touch the hot to the blue you will hear one click then touch the hot to the green you will hear one click touch both and you will hear both click.
You don't need a ground the solenoids are self grounded into the lower unit. That isn't the OMC repair manual way of testing but it will tell you if you have solenoid problems.
There are actually two different types of solenoids and they do not interchange one for the earlier years one for the later years earlier years use a spring system on the bottom of the solenoids later years have a shift rod running through them to the oil pump.
Do not remove the solenoids from the lower unit unless you absolutely have to they are a serious PIA to get lined back up as a matter of fact I couldn't do it the Admiral actually did it. 1968 1/2 -1970 used the earlier solenoids 1971-1972 used the later model solenoids.
