56 10 Hp Lu

[brents]

I have a 1956 10 HP Evinrude that is giving me problems. Today was my first time on the water with it, and it ran like a champ for about an hour with multiple starts. I was heading back towards the dock and suddenly the boat quit going, engine was still running and in gear but I was going no were. The motor runs fine in reverse, but will give me nothing in drive, the props spins freely as though it was in nuetral. Anyone have any ideas on were I should start?

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 56 10 Hp Lu

My '58 10hp keeps stripping forward gears, but the '56 has the older tougher lower unit so it should not be it. Does it work at any speed in forward? As it's working in reverse it's probably not a spun hub, but could be your forward gear, you're probably going to have to open up the LU by dropping the skeg off it and taking a look inside.

 

[brents]

Re: 56 10 Hp Lu

It doesn't go at any speed at all in forward. I plan on dropping the gear case tonight. Are forward gears very expensive?

 

[F_R]

Re: 56 10 Hp Lu

Hold on there before tearing into the gearcase. Take the oval plate off the side and inspect the shift rod operation. The shift lever pulls the rod upward for forward gear. Maybe something is loose or broken in the linkage. See if you can manually pull the lower section of the rod upward and make it go into gear. There's a real good chance the trouble is at the top end of the shift rod, under the powerhead.

 

[brents]

Re: 56 10 Hp Lu

When I put it in forward the rod shifts up slightly, but not into gear. I can push the rod into gear with my finger though. It doesn't seam to move much at all in any gear. What do you think the problem is FR?

 

[F_R]

Re: 56 10 Hp Lu

Something is worn out or broken at the top end of the shift rod. I say this because you say you can raise the rod with your finger and get it into gear.

You probably will have to remove the powerhead to see what is wrong in there.

 

[brents]

Re: 56 10 Hp Lu

Is this something I could do. I am mechanically inclined, but have never done an extensive marine work. I have the clymers manual and will give it a look. What do you think a shop would charge to fix it? I have a parts motor that I can get parts from.

 

[F_R]

Re: 56 10 Hp Lu

Awhile back you were considering tearing into the lower unit. Removing the powerhead is a lot simpler job than a lower unit. The basics are:
1: Disconnect the fuel/air hoses
2: Remove the vertical shifter interlock bar from the Starboard side
3: Remove the vertical throttle shaft from the port side
4: Remove the several screws that hold the powerhead onto the midsection at the rear.
5: Remove the 3 nuts that hold the powerhead on at the front. One under the carburetor, one on each side where you removed the interlock bar and throttle shaft for access.
6: Rock the powerhead back and forth to break the gasket, and lift it off.
7: So, I hope I haven't forgotten a step. But you'll figure it out.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 56 10 Hp Lu

Also check the shift handle for tightness. If the shift handle is slightly loose on the splines it will go out of adjustment very easily. I had that problem with a 1957 and 1958. It seemed to shift and work properly, but would go out of adjustment about a milimeter when you shifted it. A half turn on the shift handle screw fixed it on the 1957. The 1958 had a cracked handle and needed to be replaced.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 56 10 Hp Lu

How about the drive pin/shear pin? Perhaps it sheared? I've seen them where the broken bits of the pin will wedge enough to drive one direction, but spin freely the other...
- Scott

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 56 10 Hp Lu

It does sound like it's in the shifter then. But FR, I beg to differ, I think it's a lot easier to drop the LU then to remove the powerhead! (less bolts and no new gaskets required also) Although both are not difficult.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 56 10 Hp Lu

It does sound like it's in the shifter then. But FR, I beg to differ, I think it's a lot easier to drop the LU then to remove the powerhead! (less bolts and no new gaskets required also) Although both are not difficult.

No, FR's right. There's more linkage on the upper shift rod under the powerhead.
You might be able to check by gripping it (upper) with vice grips or similar thought the oval port, and wiggle the shifter..see what it feels like
But do what has been stated.
Pull the prop so it can be eliminated as a prob. Next, handle slop, next a solid connection upper/lower shift rod (the 2 screw brass thing middle case). Process of elimination will find it. If all is ok, and it shifts fine off the motor (simple up/down on the rod will tell ya), ya still might want to flip it over and pull the lower skeg open and take a look. Last would be slop on the linkage under the Powerhead, or rounded clutch dogs