Need Help with Shift Rod

[shane52501]

I have a 1980 150hp Evinrude sport and I replaced the lower end today with a 1991 Johnson 150hp. The driveshaft and lower unit seemed to bolt up fine but I am having trouble with the Shift rod. I slipped it up and got it bolted into the rocker on the powerhead but when I shifted it into reverse it would jump back out while turning the prop by hand in reverse. All other gears worked fine. So I tore the lower end apart and realized the shift rod had got screwed out a little from the lower unit. I then screwed it in tight and bolted the lower end and shift rod back up, but now it will not even go into reverse. Any ideas?

 

[CLAMJACK61]

Re: Need Help with Shift Rod

I had the same exact issue with my 1998 Johnson 60 H.P. I bought the gearcase used because the original blew out. I ended up pulling the gearcase off four times. Each time, I backed the shift rod out by ONE turn. Finally, about three to four turns out, it shifts perfectly in all gears.

I unscrewed the shiftrod out from the old gearcase (salt water intrusion due to fish line wrapped around prop shaft) and by my observation it APPEARS the threads were only threaded in about HALF way. I don't know if this is the right way to adjust/solve this issue, but it seemed to work for me.

I purchased the manual for this motor, but am still waiting for it to arrive. I will make sure I did the right thing BEFORE I water test it. Hope this helps...hope it's right! Good luck!

 

[ezeke]

Re: Need Help with Shift Rod

The shift rod has to be turned to measure the specified length. When switching gearcases it is often necessary to switch the shift rods.

The length of the rod is measured from the mating surface of the gearcase to the center of the hole at the top of the shift rod with the gearcase in neutral.

The measurement for the standard (long shaft) V6 gearcase is 22-1/16 +/- 1/32. Add exactly 5" if you have the extra long shaft 25" model.

 

[shane52501]

Re: Need Help with Shift Rod

Thanks for the help from both of you. I had an idea you could adjust them that way because they seemed like they had a lot of thread to them, but i didn't want to chance it and mess it up until I got some good advice. Thanks again