shift cradle screw -50 hp Johnson

[c-doryman]

I made a mistake! I was winterizing my 50 hp Johnson outboard, and accidently opened the wrong screws! After opening the correct upper screw to drain gear oil, I didnt see the drain bottom screw so far down below, and opened the shift cradle screw instead. I reviewed the owners manuel, and it says "IMPORTANT- do not open shift cradle screw while draining" I went ahead and opened correct lower screw and drained the rest out, then put all of the screws back in thir proper places, without re filling. Have I done any damage? Whatshould I do? Why does the owners manuel say it's important not to open that screw??

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: shift cradle screw -50 hp Johnson

When you removed the shift cradle screw, the cradle fell out of engagement with the clutch dog. You will no longer have engagement with any gear other then what the engine was in at the time. To reangage, the gear case will have to be disassembled, and the cradle reangaged. On small engines I have been lucky by turning the engine up-side down, and having the cradle fall in place. Don't expect that on your size engine.

 

[c-doryman]

Re: shift cradle screw -50 hp Johnson

I guess I will have to put it in the shop to have that done. Is it considered a big job? Will it be costly? Any chance that I may have lucked out and nothing fell? This is a major bummer if it's a big expensive job!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: shift cradle screw -50 hp Johnson

hello<br /> what year 50 are you working with?<br /> the only 50 hp OMC I was aware of with a shift cradle screw were 58-59 models. I may be wrong. if its a later model unit with through hub exhaust you may have removed the bearing retainer screw. that would be nice for you. good luck and keep posting but please use year models

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: shift cradle screw -50 hp Johnson

Disconnect the shift cable at the engine. Spin the prop with your foot. Move the engine shift lever to forward, then neutral, then reverse, then neutral.<br /><br />If the unit shifted into and out of gear properly, you lucked out. If on the other hand, the unit does not shift properly, the normal route is to remove the skeg, align the parts properly, put the unit into forward gear to keep the parts where they belong, then re-install the skeg.

 

[c-doryman]

Re: shift cradle screw -50 hp Johnson

CORRECTION: It is a 40 hp Johnson. Year 1993 or 94.

 

[c-doryman]

Re: shift cradle screw -50 hp Johnson

GOOD news. I tested the shifter and everything is ok. BTW- It is not necessary to disconnect shifter to test, that invites more trouble. I just had one man at the prop, and one at the shifter. Thanks for all who helped!