1974 Evinrude 115 Manual Shift - Shift throw too short?

[Demolitron]

Hello,

I have a 1974 Evinrude 115 Model 115493B. It has a manual shift lower unit. I just purchased this boat and took it to the lake the first time yesterday. It turns out, that under load the reverse gear won't engage fully. I adjusted the cable and was able to get it into reverse but then it wouldn't go into forward. After adjusting the cable trundle at the motor forward, I was once again able to get it into forward gear, but not reverse. It seems like the shifter needs to throw another centimeter and it would work perfectly. While underway at full power it stayed in gear and went into and out of neutral all day.

Out of the water I put it in reverse and tried to turn the prop by hand. It had a small engagement but would slip. I assume this is the clutch dog making partial contact?

When I pushed the shift linkage at the motor it moved enough to engage fully and I noticed that it took the 'slack' out of the control cable. I disconnected the shift cable and I noted that it was still very stiff to move the remote shift control. I also assume I need to replace the shift cable since it is so stiff. Could it be the problem that there is lot of force bound up in the cable and not being applied to the shift linkage?

Is there any way for me to test a few things before I tear open my Lower Unit to look at the gears and clutch?

Thank You for your time and knowledge.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 115 Manual Shift - Shift throw too short?

It could just be that your shift rod is mis-adjusted. Before you go there, you need to adjust the cable the proper way.

1) place the remote console in the neutral position.
2) remove the cable from the shifter at the motor.
3) be sure the motor is in neutral.
4) with the cable trunion clipped in and the cable end unhooked. Adjust the trunion so the eye of the cable lines up with the shifter connector.
5) Attach the shift cable.

If you still have the problem. You'll need to disconnect the shift rod and measure the length. The shift rod is threaded at the LU connection, and turning it in or out adjusts the length. I don't know what the spec is on your year. You can do all this with the LU on.

 

[Demolitron]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 115 Manual Shift - Shift throw too short?

Hello,

I know what you're indicating with the shift rod. When I had my L/U off to change the water pump I noticed it. It has a threaded connection at the top of the rod, where it enters the power head. The connector with the hole in it to accept the shift linkage threads onto it. This isn't the way it is shown in my Seloc manual. Any thoughts on why and how I can adjust this?

I am able to turn it without removing the lower unit and it does effectively adjust the shift rod length.

Also, does anyone know if iBoats sells replacement control cables for my motor? Nothing they have that I've seen 'looks' like what I have. If needed I can post pictures.


Thanks

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 115 Manual Shift - Shift throw too short?

Your seloc manual may (or may not) have the specific length for your year. You measure from the top of the LU (I think) to the hole in the top of the rod.

Someone will chime in with a more precise procedure in a minute I'm sure.


As for cables. You'll need to get the pre '79 universal cable. The ends of your cables are removeable.

 

[1730V]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 115 Manual Shift - Shift throw too short?

Shift/throttle cables also stretch thus making a good adjustment impossible.

Disconnect the cable at the engine and see if you have any play fore/aft on the barrel.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 115 Manual Shift - Shift throw too short?

Did you by chance adjust the shift rod while you had it down?? In not its still possible you did it unknowingly while re installing the lower unit, the tolerances on the shift rod are tight, about .036 inches. Im pretty much 100 percent sure thats what happened. You will also need to know if you have a standard length gearcase or the long shaft model, if that year applies. Measure if from the center of the hole at the top to the surface of the gearcase. The length should be in your manual under "Lower Unit", probably closer to the end of the chapter in the water pump install area.

 

[Demolitron]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 115 Manual Shift - Shift throw too short?

In my seloc manual, factory manual is on its way, it indicates I am to use special tool #389997. Anyone know what the length is and/or why a special tool is needed?

Thanks.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 115 Manual Shift - Shift throw too short?

All that tool is is a pre measured rod with another rod coming off of it at 90 degrees, essentially shaped like the letter "L" The base stands on the surface of your gearcase and the "arm" off the body goes into the center of the connector hole. You dont need this, a tape measure will be sufficient, just measure from the surface of the gearcase to the center of the hole. Im surprised it doesnt mention the shift rod height in that chapter, the factory one will have it for sure.

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 115 Manual Shift - Shift throw too short?

can someone by chance chime in what the shift length needs to be on a 235 HP johnson, i beleive its a 85.

 

[Demolitron]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 115 Manual Shift - Shift throw too short?

Hello,

Just as an update and a solution to this problem, in case anyone else has this issue.

The problem was in fact, that the shift rod was not being pushed down/pulled up far enough to engage the gears properly due to a loose shift linkage system. I did several things to remedy this problem.

1) A bushing was missing on the connection between the shift rod and the shift bell housing resulting in a good amount of 'slack'. I replaced this bushing and the link from the shift arm to the bell housing to the shift rod was tight.

2) The shift cable trunion holder, where it is anchored to the engine with a thumbwheel was loose. It allowed the cable sleeve to move back and forth about 1/4". I used some clamps to squeeze the sides inwards just enough to tighten it up.

3) I lubed/cleaned/straightened my shift cable so it was nice and smooth moving.

4) Inside the remote control housing I made a bushing for the trunion there to hold the cable sleeve tight.

5) I made sure the cable was crimped properly in the cable ends so it couldn't slip anymore by: Heat treated the core wire till it glowed and then turned both set screws out, then turned one in till tight then another turn to bend the wire. Set the second set screw tight against the core wire.

After all this I finally had a tight control linkage from the remote unit to the shift rod and now I works great. Forward position moves the rod firmly down and reverse moves the rod firmly up. It took some time to adjust the thumbwheel at the motor to center the neutral position.

Also my motor\lower unit has the old style shift rod with the threaded barrel connector at the top. From other posts here I gleaned that there is no shift rod length adjustment for this, simply screw it down all the way then turn it back up just until the offset side is pointing towards the bow of the boat.

I should also say that my local marine shop told me that a loose linkage could not possibly be the problem and I should look for something else or take it into them. Just a warning that if something seems logical to you, you should pursue it and find out for yourself. Everyone can be wrong, without fault of their own, sometimes. And if we weren't here to learn about this stuff for ourselves we'd be selling our boats or taking them to mechanics.

Thanks everyone for your help.