mechanicallyDeclined
Cadet
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2023
- Messages
- 9
Hi,
Everything was running fine on my 73 Johnson 50hp outboard until I discovered cloudy lower gear unit oil. After a pressure test and submerged lower unit, I identified leaks by the shift rod and drive shaft. I replaced the back-to-back seals below the shift rod housing and a gasket on the drive shaft bearing housing. A quick pressure test confirmed no more leaks.
Took it to the lake only to find out that it would not shift into forward--only reverse. It would shift into forward but only at really high throttle/rpms. My first guess was that I did not adjust the shift rod correctly (though it was the exact height of when I removed the lower unit when everything was shifting fine).
Instead of removing the lower unit, again--I made an adjustment on the shift cable. It did not seem to be aligned correctly, anyway, so thought it was worth a try. Now, when I shift into forward it switches gears smoothly--but I no longer get high throttle/power.
So, the only things that I potentially changed are the shift rod height (maybe) and the shift rod cable. These are my primary suspects--but why and how would they impact throttle speed? Coincidence? Perhaps another issue with a bad throttle cable or bad gas?
Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks!
Everything was running fine on my 73 Johnson 50hp outboard until I discovered cloudy lower gear unit oil. After a pressure test and submerged lower unit, I identified leaks by the shift rod and drive shaft. I replaced the back-to-back seals below the shift rod housing and a gasket on the drive shaft bearing housing. A quick pressure test confirmed no more leaks.
Took it to the lake only to find out that it would not shift into forward--only reverse. It would shift into forward but only at really high throttle/rpms. My first guess was that I did not adjust the shift rod correctly (though it was the exact height of when I removed the lower unit when everything was shifting fine).
Instead of removing the lower unit, again--I made an adjustment on the shift cable. It did not seem to be aligned correctly, anyway, so thought it was worth a try. Now, when I shift into forward it switches gears smoothly--but I no longer get high throttle/power.
So, the only things that I potentially changed are the shift rod height (maybe) and the shift rod cable. These are my primary suspects--but why and how would they impact throttle speed? Coincidence? Perhaps another issue with a bad throttle cable or bad gas?
Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks!
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