Tohatsu 50 hp, prop/shaft will not engage.

[Glaceta]

2001 50hp Tohatsu -It starts and runs fine but the prop/shaft doesn't engage in fwd. or rev. gear. The linkage adjustment is good & the prop is not spun. The shaft rotates freely by hand in all directions when in rev, fwd & neutral. Sometimes in fwd, the shaft will turn by hand about a quarter turn, in either direction, then locks . I pulled the shaft out a bit and there is plenty of oil there and no signs of metal shavings. Any ideas to the probable cause before I get the service manual out and pull the lower unit? Thanks

 

[pvanv]

It would help a bit if we had your actual model.serial. Year is irrelevant.
When did this problem start? There isn't any linkage adjustment on those motors; the linkage is pinned. As long as the linkage is not bent, it is correct. You may have a broken clutch spring, or a damaged clutch/gears. Pull the prop shaft housing out and inspect the mechanism. Likely no need to drop the whole LU unless you will also be changing the water pump kit at the same time.

 

[Glaceta]

Thanks Paul. It?s a MD50 A. I tore into it last night and found a shredded oil seal to start with.
It started slipping in gear last season after I changed the impeller. I assumed because the idiot that put the prop back on (that?ll be me) forgot a spacer and the prop actually dug into the housing bolts, ruining the prop but kept the housing bolts intact. I replaced the prop and remembered the spacer this time?it did run relatively well with occasional slipping the rest of last season. During the winter, while dry docked, the cold spell got to the fractured bolts on the prop housing and they finally cracked off (without me noticing this season). When I put in this season, no movement fwd or rev. I would think an unsecured prop housing could be the main culprit. The linkage looks right and all the other components in the prop housing are undamaged, thankfully. The shop manual has been very helpful. So, I know I need at least a prop housing and oil seal?more to come I?m sure. Thanks again.