Lower Unit / Control Box work done - need help troubleshooting

[Zman68]

I have a 1974 Johnson 115 hp. <br /><br />We hit a rock and cracked the lower unit. Didn't know it at the time, and eventually it seized up, and wouldn't come out of forward gear. While this happened we yanked on the throttle, and broke the mechanism in the control box that takes it in and out of gear(the plastic teeth that engage the second pivot point.<br />I found a mechanic to replace the lower unit, and I replaced the part in the control box that was broken. <br />Something is not right and I need some help trouble shooting - I think it's in the control box, but I'm not sure. Here are the two symptoms<br />1) When going from reverse to neutral it stays in gear. From forward to neutral, we get neutral. At the engine head, the neutral position seems to be the same from either direction.<br />2) Full throttle seems to have moved at the control box, both forward and reverse. The handle needs to move much farther to get the boats to top speeds.<br />Thanks for the help - Hope I expained it well enough.<br />Bob

 

[OBJ]

Re: Lower Unit / Control Box work done - need help troubleshooting

Hey Zman...we'll see if we can help a little.<br /><br />Back at the engine, you'll see two flatish rods that connect to the shift rod that goes to the lower unit. Connected to these flat rods is a link that connects to a heavier rod or lever to which the shift cable attaches to. Disconnect the shift cable and manually put the engine in neutral. The shift lever should be straight up and down. Shiftin to forward and reverse should be about an equal swing in both directions of the lever. If not, there's a good chance the shift rod was not set to the correct height.<br /><br />Also look at the casing guide (thats' the piece on the end of the shift cable) while someone shifts from neutral to reverse and forward. The stroke on the casing guide should be about the same in both directions.<br /><br />Connection of the shift cable to the shift lever should be done with the engine in neutral and the shift lever straight up and down.<br /><br />Same with the throttle cable. The connection should be made with the throttle lever against the low speed stop.<br /><br />Let's start here and find out what you have or don't have.

 

[Zman68]

Re: Lower Unit / Control Box work done - need help troubleshooting

OBJ,<br />Thanks for the advice. I'll be checking that out over the next week and let you know how I made out.<br />Zman

 

[Zman68]

Re: Lower Unit / Control Box work done - need help troubleshooting

OBJ,<br />I disconnected the shift cable, and tested the swings for forward / reverse and neutral. The swing to reverse is shorter than the swing to forward. The swing back to neutral from reverse does not take the engine out of reverse - the same thing I saw when shifting at the control box. <br />If you can advise on how to correct this, I would really appreciate it (anyone feel free to jump in here). Is it something I can do in the water - want to try to avoid another tow across the lake?<br />Thanks a lot,<br />Zman

 

[Zman68]

Re: Lower Unit / Control Box work done - need help troubleshooting

bump

 

[Zman68]

Re: Lower Unit / Control Box work done - need help troubleshooting

bump

 

[Zman68]

Re: Lower Unit / Control Box work done - need help troubleshooting

Bill / OBJ,<br />Thanks for the help. She's running beautifully now!!!!!!<br />Zman