Re: quick question
It is very easy but the only hard part is getting the shifter linkage adjusted properly. I have done it about 5 time and twice I had a hard time getting it to go into Forward or Reverse due to a misadjustment of the shift linkage.
When you do the repair, run the motor in your driveway on mufflers with a Gardner Hose, and make sure it shifts into Forward and Reverse properly. The first time I had a problem, I had marked the linkage well and assumed it was correct. I launched the boat at a crowed ramp on the first day of boating season and all I had was reverse. I did not know I had a problem until I started to back away from the dock. When I shifted into Forward it only would go into neutral. It was a real PITA to get the boat redocked with only reverse and the dock was very crowed. It was also a windy day. I took it home , put it on Muffs with a garden hose and made a slight adjustment and I was back on the lake in a few minutes with the boat working properly. I live lake view and I am only one mile from the ramp. My kids were crying because they thought that I had broken a perfectly good running boat motor with my preventative maintenance. I had a hard time getting them to go back to the ramp that day.
This year ( Memorial Day), I thought I had it adjusted correctly in the driveway, but I was in a big hurry to take friends on the lake and all I had was forward. I was able to make the necessary adjustments while the boat was beached, but it still was a PITA.
Moral of the story is make 100% sure it is shifting right in the driveway before you get on the water. I also marked everything well with a Sharpe and still had problems. However, I would do it again instead of paying a shop. I do mine every other season and I put about 50 Hours per year on my pontoon.
I hope this helps,
Donald
