When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

[Gunther Boo]

I have a 1984 Johnson 40hp outboard ( model # 40ELCR ). I replaced the bad lower unit with one from a 1981 50hp Evinrude. It fit perfect. The only problem is when I shift the controller to forward the prop turns in reverse and when I shift into reverse the prop turns forward. I 've taken the shift controller apart and studied the cables and can't see any way to make them work in the opposite direction. The engine won't throttle up all the way since the cable doesn't travel far enough in forward gear ( reverse on shift handle ). Any ideas?

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

Put a left hand prop on it??

 

[jasonachord]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

Someone else who knows more on this should chime in hopefully.

A few years back I looked at a boat for sell with a Johnson outboard where the lower unit had been replaced with an older model. The guy selling it had rigged up a second lever bellow the control he used to place the drive in forward and reverse, only using the control lever for the throttle. He said that the reason for this was because the gears in the lower unit change between the production year differences and were backwards between one another. Seemed a bit strange so I skipped on buying it.

 

[Gunther Boo]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

Do they make such a thing?

 

[daselbee]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

You probably have the wrong prop on it.

 

[sschefer]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

Is this an electric shift model?

 

[jasonachord]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

What he had rigged up was home made. looked like he had the shift cable hooked to it to place the drive in forward reverse and neutral and just the throttle cable hooked up to the Johnson control unit. Never seen anything like it before.

 

[dew2]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

I have a 1984 Johnson 40hp outboard ( model # 40ELCR ). I replaced the bad lower unit with one from a 1981 50hp Evinrude. It fit perfect. The only problem is when I shift the controller to forward the prop turns in reverse and when I shift into reverse the prop turns forward. I 've taken the shift controller apart and studied the cables and can't see any way to make them work in the opposite direction. The engine won't throttle up all the way since the cable doesn't travel far enough in forward gear ( reverse on shift handle ). Any ideas?

How about on the motor,Disconnect the remote cables then shift the motor itself,Does it then hit F gear while the shift lever is forward and does it go in R gear when the shift lever is aft?

 

[boobie]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

How much of the upper shift linkag did you take apart when you swapped the g/c's??

 

[Gunther Boo]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

Is this an electric shift model?

No it is a manual shift.

 

[sschefer]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

As was mentioned before shift it at the motor with the cable disconnected. If reverse is forward and vice versa then you got yourself a l counter rotating lower unit. Just run a left hand prop and turn your trim tab/annode if you have one so it's straight. You can adjust it later if needed but I doubt it.

 

[highcountry]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

Try placing the motor on the flat end of the boat not the pointy end. he,he,he

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

EDIT: Wait a minute....I need to look further in the diagrams

Interesting. There are two different gearcase part numbers listed for a 1981 50 HP; one for an electric start and one for a rope start. I wonder if they work differently?
I really don't think that they make a counter-rotating gearcase for a 50 HP motor.....

 

[Gunther Boo]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

As was mentioned before shift it at the motor with the cable disconnected. If reverse is forward and vice versa then you got yourself a l counter rotating lower unit. Just run a left hand prop and turn your trim tab/annode if you have one so it's straight. You can adjust it later if needed but I doubt it.

Thanks I didn't know they made left hand props. Got any recommendations where I can order one?

 

[dew2]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

EDIT: Wait a minute....I need to look further in the diagrams

Interesting. There are two different gearcase part numbers listed for a 1981 50 HP; one for an electric start and one for a rope start. I wonder if they work differently?
I really don't think that they make a counter-rotating gearcase for a 50 HP motor.....

I looked that up also.I didnt see much difference,Both F and R gears are located the same.I dont think its counter rotation,I think the cables are backwards!!

 

[sschefer]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

I should have asked this question.... Did it work correctly before you changed the lower unit or was the old one too shot to run.

 

[boobie]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

They don't make a counter rotator g/c for 40/50 hp mtrs nor props either.

 

[sschefer]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

They don't make a counter rotator g/c for 40/50 hp mtrs nor props either.

Well I guess that answers that. Sounds like the control is just messed up.

 

[ac0j]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

I looked that up also.I didnt see much difference,Both F and R gears are located the same.I dont think its counter rotation,I think the cables are backwards!!

I second this!

 

[Gunther Boo]

Re: When I shift into forward; boat goes backward

I should have asked this question.... Did it work correctly before you changed the lower unit or was the old one too shot to run.

Yes the old one worked fine, forward = forward, reverse = reverse. I was told that Johnson and Evinrude lower units would interchange but I'm thinking maybe the cable controls work the opposite? The only difference I see between the two lower units I have is that the Evinrude has a larger gear case.