Shift linkage pin out - now what?

[jw_928]

Some idiot, (me), tried to drain the gear oil using the hole where the shift linkage pin goes. (I have since found the correct drain plug, but that doesn't help right now.)

I have no idea what it looks like inside and I'm pretty sure I dislodged something because when I line up the hole on the linkage and put the screw back in, I can't move the shift rod.

Do I have any options?

 

[bktheking]

Re: Shift linkage pin out - now what?

Is this on a briggs and stratton riding lawnmower or a chev th400 in your 69 Chevelle?

 

[James R]

Re: Shift linkage pin out - now what?

Sounds like an older model OMC. I doubt if you will manage to locate that pin in the shift mechanism without dismantling the lower unit. Sometimes you can find the spot. The manual expressly says don't remove that pin. Sorry. That is where reading the manual comes in..

 

[lindy46]

Re: Shift linkage pin out - now what?

Ahh - removed that little Phillips head screw, did ya! Try laying the motor on it's side, and with a flashlight, look in the hole while gently moving the shift lever. You may get lucky and see the hole in the shifter yoke line up with the hole in the skeg. If that doesn't work, then it's time to remove the lower unit, so you can grab hold of the end of the shift rod and maneuver it until the holes line up.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Shift linkage pin out - now what?

Agree w/ Lindy: Take the lower unit off, lay it on its side and use something pointy to move the mechanism around.

 

[jw_928]

Re: Shift linkage pin out - now what?

Did I mention I was an idiot? I just realized I didn't mention the motor...

It's a '68 Johnson 33 hp.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Shift linkage pin out - now what?

I've been told an icepic works well. I was only joking about the B&S, knew it was an outboard, just didn't know which one.

 

[old boat 54]

Re: Shift linkage pin out - now what?

You may able to get it lined up with motor in place. I did it on 33 hp johnson. Put shifter in neutral, and V e r y carefully used awl ( similar to ice pick) to align holes in linkage. I had to move shifter towards neutral and forward and reverse s l ow l y to help align, and after approx 5 minutes , I felt the awl push in. Carefully remove awl with out touching shifter, and tried shift pin/ screw. It went all the way in with and I screwed it to seat, but did not tighten. then I went to shift controls to make sure neutral would allow free turn of prop, the forward, and then reverse, back to neutral to make sure something was not hanging up. Then tighten shift pin. It is now had red paint on the head of it, meaning dont remove.
P.S motor is 1966 33 hp Sea-Horse