1973 85 hp Johnson Won't Go Into Gear

[darren250r]

I have a 73 Bayliner with an 85 hp Johnson. I'm assuming it is also a 73 motor, buy I suppose it could be a 72. My mom bought the boat and motor brand new in 73. Is there any easy way to tell? I was at the lake a few weeks ago and the throttle controls got stuck in the forward half throttle position. I forced it back to neutral and when I did the resistance on the controls went away and they were very easy to move. Fired it back up and the motor just revved up when I tried to go forwad, but wouldn't move.

I towed the boat back and when I got home I checked to see if one of the control cables was broken because that is what I suspected. I pulled the motor cover off and moved the throttle controls. It appears that the linkage is still moving on the side of the carb. I'm mechanically inclined, but just never messed with an outboard before. If anyone has any ideas on what could be wrong as far as broken linkage that I can't see or common problems in the lower end, that would be great. I never tried it in reverse.

Thanks
Darren

 

[olseaspirit]

Re: 1973 85 hp Johnson Won't Go Into Gear

if the linkage is moving at the side of the carb(back and forth) then check to see if the linkage from there is moving the shift rod, (right underneath the carbs, vertical) if this is moving also then you might have damage in your gearcase or your shift rod is broken/not connected

 

[Randyg123]

Re: 1973 85 hp Johnson Won't Go Into Gear

It sounds like you snapped your throttle cable. You should have two cables leading form the controller to the engine. One controls the throttle and the other controls the gearbox. When moving from neutral/idle to forward you are pushing the cable. when pulling back to neutral, you are pulling the cable.


The throttle/shift assembly on the engine is intertwined.

While moving the controller from neutral to forward, watch your engine throttle/shift assembly on the right side of the motor where the two cables attach. On the engine, you should see the top of throttle arm moving forward. You won't see much activity on the carbs yet because all you are doing at this point is advancing the timing. As your controller gets to about 1/4-1/3 of the way forward you should start to move the shift cable. You will see this translated at the engine and see the shift rod begin to move. Also, the throttle valves would have begun to rotate at this point as you are advancing the throttle now that it is in gear.

So if the throttle cable is broke, you shouldn't see much movement of the throttle valves or timing linkage. If the shift linkage broke you won't see the shift rod move back and forth (this is the rod going down to the gearbox at the bottom).

It should be really easy to see if either of these cables is broke. Once you confirm that, you can move on to figuring out what to do next.

 

[darren250r]

Re: 1973 85 hp Johnson Won't Go Into Gear

Thanks for the replies. I'm pretty sure its not a broken cable because the linkage is moving at the motor. I will have to take a look at the linkage going to the shift rod and see if that is still intact. Is it common for the shift rod to break or disconnect? I have a feeling something broke because it felt like something bound up and then I broke it free while trying to bring it back to neutral. Any other ideas or advise are welcome.

Thanks again

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1973 85 hp Johnson Won't Go Into Gear

It is difficult to break the shift rod. Disconnect the shift cable at the engine and move the bellcrank up and down manually. The gearcase should shift.

To ease shifting, take the spark plugs out so that you can turn the flywheel clockwise while attempting the shift. When the propeller turns both ways you will have eliminated that area of concern.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1973 85 hp Johnson Won't Go Into Gear

look on the transom mount for a 1"x2" plate with numbers on it. need model #, if no plate, look on motor block for a silver disc like this.