no power in reverse

[woodsmithie]

1977 evinrude, 85hp... the continuing saga...

Test drive results.... the engine works fine in forward.... no hesitation, lag or rought spots.

When I go into reverse it seems to shift OK, but there is no power to stop forward movement.... as I move it further into reverse the engine revs up OK.

I did have the lower unit of to replace the water pump, but i did not turn the shift linkage at all.

The input cable seems to be rigger correct to the linkage....

How about an idea....

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: no power in reverse

When I go into reverse it seems to shift OK, but there is no power to stop forward movement.... as I move it further into reverse the engine revs up OK.

I did have the lower unit of to replace the water pump, but i did not turn the shift linkage at all.

The input cable seems to be rigger correct to the linkage....

How about an idea....

Try starting off in reverse and see if you can generate steerage way going backwards.
Is this boat new to you? If so, you may not realise how much reverse thrust is required to kill forward momentum.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: no power in reverse

it is not going into reverse, or you have a spare prop. reverse is not a brake, do not approach something faster than you want to hit it.

 

[woodsmithie]

Re: no power in reverse

I checked the rigging again, and it seems correct.... the prop it turning in reverse (slowly) while the engine is at 1500RPM.

well... here is the story to this boat, I bought if from a car dealer that took it in on trade, so i do not know any of the history.

Since I have had the boat I have installed new stringers, floor, custom fuel tank, all new electrical, radio and fish finder/gps...... as for the engine I installed a new water pump, fuel pump and rebuilt the carbs.

But when I got the boat the rigging was way way out of rig (according to the manual)... I believe that the rigging may still not be correct, since my idle is 900rpm and the idle screw is fully screwed in and i get no KLUNK when going into reverse.... the manual is not clear on what you need to rig first if starting from scratch....

I am including pics of the control assembly in the start and run position.... someone that knows these older motors please let me know if there is anything that appears wrong.....

QUESTION: on the control assembly on the engine the center hub area the word START is stamped on the round part of the lever... What is the start arrow suppose to line up with when it is in start..... I could not find it in the service manual????

 

[KLINDWW]

Re: no power in reverse

When you talk about the rigging, I assume that you are talking about the control cables. Assuming that there is no lower unit problem it sounds like a shift linkage adjustment is needed. On the shift cable on the motor you should see a black wheel like adjustment where the cable is first fastened to the motor. You should also see some threads sticking out. By adjusting this you will make the shift cable longer or shorter. This will adjust the linkage to allow the control cable to pull the shift leaver into reverse. Believe it or not a 1/4? is a lot of adjustment. You can also check the lower unit by disconnecting the shift cable and moving the shift lever by hand without the motor running. Do not try to force it though, if it will not go into gear, try moving the flywheel a little bit by hand. When the motor goes into gear you will not be able to turn the prop by hand. Hope this help and good luck.