1973 Evinrude 25hp - Shifting Issues

[sludgeguy68]

Hello, I've got a 1973 25hp that started developing a shifting issue (manual, no remote controls). It wasn't banging in and out of gear, but rather slipping into neutral at WOT. It would over-rev and obviously be in neutral, but the roller was not in the indentation in the arm below the pan; this didn't seem to happen if I kept my hand on the lever while running forward WOT.

I've disassembled the gear case and I think the dog and fwd gear look fine, but wanted to get a second opinion on here. The motor has a sticker that says gearcase was updated to use kit 390972 (thrust washer, thrust bearing, needle bearing & fwd gear).

I've removed the powerhead to inspect the bell crank / shift linkage, and nothing looked odd or worn out. The shifter handle adjustment screw was frozen on so I sawed it off and replaced the screw and nut. I put everything back together, and there was positive engagement in fwd/reverse, felt by moving the prop by hand and feeling the point of engagement... but on the water it banged in and out of gear at high RPM, so something is still off.

The manual states:

Move shift handle into forward gear, rotating prop clockwise to engage shifter dog with forward gear. Note point of engagement, and where shift lever pin rides in forward detent in shifter lock. Repeat action for reverse gear. The shifter lever pin should stop an equal distance from neutral detent but closer to neutral in forward gear to allow for positive forward gear engagement.

Is it me or does that last sentence contradict itself?

Looking for some direction on where to go from here... thinking about replacing the shift rod, maybe it's bent a little out of whack?

 

[racerone]

Too bad you jumped into this with both feet without asking questions.-----I think you have a bad propeller with a slipping drive hub.

 

[boobie]

There's nothing wrong with what the manual states.