Shifting out of forward

[seahorse197220]

I have a 1972 johnson seahorse 20 hp. when trying to go forward the motor will knock itself back into neutral. Could this be problem with the pressure change. Also, need help on how to adjust the forward now. Last time this happen a friend say he adjust a screw at the shift lever and fixed it. I am not sure what he is talking about and i am not able to get a hold of him for about 3 more months. Thanks for your help.

 

[F_R]

Re: Shifting out of forward

Clutch dog and probably forward gear are grossly worn out. Unless you have been messing around with the linkage. Can we assume that neutral is neutral, with no grinding or clattering? If so, the linkage probably is ok.

That motor has "snap shift", which ensures that it goes into gear all the way---if you haven't messed with the linkage. Once it is in gear, it will stay there unless it is worn out. Then it will either jump in and out of gear or just kick it back to the neutral detent. That is what yours is doing.

As I said, clutch dog and forward gear are grossly worn out. They are in the lower unit gearcase.

 

[seahorse197220]

Re: Shifting out of forward

F_R What happens is i will start going forward, once i start getting up to speed it will "snap back into neutral" I can put in back in forward and it will do it again. I was trying to get back to the dock so i keep doing it. Before i got back i put it in forward and the lever stay forward but the motor seemed like it was in neutral.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Shifting out of forward

HI seahorse. I have a '66 20 hp, which is virtually identical to your own. I think F_R is right on this one (as usual). While you may simply need to adjust the shift shaft, the symptoms you're describing are the classic signs of a worn clutch dog. It takes very little wear to cause them to slip out of gear, and after 40 years of use it's not all that unrealistic. There's really only one way to check which is to drop the lower unit, open the gearcase and take a look. If you're going to go through all of the effort, I would suggest you reseal the lower unit while you're at it. That way once it's all back together you shouldn't have to muck with it for years to come. If you can open up the gearcase and get up some pics we can take it from there. Good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[seahorse197220]

Re: Shifting out of forward

sounds good. thanks, it may be a week or two.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Shifting out of forward

No worries. If/when you do need a replacement clutch dog you can check marineengine.com or ebay, but I would start by placing a want ad on AOMIC.org. Its an OMC motor restoration/collectors forum. The guys there very often have the parts you need for much less than the stores charge. Good luck. Keep us posted.