Johnson 15hp gear linkage/lever trouble engaging

[apark999]

I have recently acquired a 1983 15hp johnson .<br />now i have changed the impeller, plugs ect to be safe and ready for use but have noticed that when i run it in barrel of water or with muffs on in gear, if i try to put it into nuetral or from nuetral into either forward or reverse i have difficulty it does not engage.(breathes) when i turn the prop slightly manually it will engage ok.<br />have i possibly reconnected the gear selector rod incorrectly when refitting after changing the impeller.<br />i had the gear lever in forward to help me do this.<br />baffled!!<br /><br />thanks<br />Alex

 

[OBJ]

Re: Johnson 15hp gear linkage/lever trouble engaging

Alex, before you put it back together, did you check the shift rod height? This should be done in neutral with the shift rod connector attached to the lower shift rod. The top of the connector should measure at 7/16" to the lower unit mating surface.<br /><br />When you put it back to gether, did you get the slot in the end of the upper shift rod down into the connector far enough to line up with the upper hole in the shift rod connector?

 

[apark999]

Re: Johnson 15hp gear linkage/lever trouble engaging

hi OBJ,<br />thanks for the reply, i gotta admit i didn't. i did however struggle to connect the shift rod bact because i was working on my own. i used my trolley jack to support the lower gearcasing etc and jacked it up until the connector was close enough to connect up.<br />it seemed to connect ok and the bolt went in just fine.<br />should i drop the bottom leg again and check the measurement?

 

[OBJ]

Re: Johnson 15hp gear linkage/lever trouble engaging

If you didn't actually see the slot mate up with the hole in the conntector, I would drop the lower unit and check it.

 

[apark999]

Re: Johnson 15hp gear linkage/lever trouble engaging

right dropped the lower unit and reconnected it properly this time it seems to have worked ok... now i just have to sort out the idle on it and im sorted... (doesnt want to idle)<br />thanks for your help OBJ !!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Johnson 15hp gear linkage/lever trouble engaging

search, joe reeves post on setting low speed adjustment.

 

[apark999]

Re: Johnson 15hp gear linkage/lever trouble engaging

excellent..... all jobs done, gears changing sweet as a nut..carbs removed cleaned and reset, idle great.<br /><br />onwards and upwards. thanks guys, really appreciate your help. (and Joe Reeves too).<br /><br />Alex

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Johnson 15hp gear linkage/lever trouble engaging

good job Alex999