1974 Johnson 40 HP Shifter Lock Engineering

[restornator]

There isn't a depression on the shifter lock for Neutral, instead it's on a plate. My motor will not stop at N and just goes from F-R or R-F. This is one expensive part change that wasn't necessary, so how do I adjust it?

 

[F_R]

I suspect the spring thingy is missing off your shifter lock. It has the neutral detent.
http://s19.postimg.org/fahnxrm2b/1974_40hp.jpg

 

[restornator]

The spring is there. I'm familiar with these motors, and this is the only version of a shifter lock that doesn't have a neutral detent. The spring actually pushes the shifter lock away from the neutral position. There is a 3/8 inch gap when i hold the shift handle in neutral. Here's a good look at the part:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Johnson-Evin...-/360808977425

And they kept this design on the commercial motors, so it must work. Is the metal clip supposed to pinch the plastic cam on the shift handle?

 

[F_R]

OK, I'll admit I haven't looked at one of this design for about 40 years now, but are you telling me that the roller on the shifter handle doesn't ride in the space between the notches on the lock and the flat spring with the neutral detent formed in the middle? Maybe I'm forgetting something.

 

[restornator]

Sort of. It doesn't sit in the neutral detent. I would have to pull the shift lock out away from the motor to get it there. I'm going to look at that flat spring to see if it's not deformed. I really don't understand the engineering and how it's supposed to work.