1976 40hp Evinrude Stuck In Forward gear

[jrglombo]

I have a 1976 40hp Evinrude model 40655a. I bought a few months ago, rebuilt carb and got it running well. It is stuck in forward gear, the shift linkage in lower unit seems to be locked up in the gearbox. Runs in forward gear well, but no neutral or reverse. I have tried to shift it manually without cable hooked up and still nothing. Shift linkage through inspection plate was hooked up. New gear lube, no water or metal. I currently have lower unit off and I'm going to dig deeper into that next unless there are any other suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Joe Reeves]

Did you or someone else remove that philips screw from the lower unit skeg at any time?

 

[jrglombo]

Yes I did. I was told about a spring and ball I was suppose to find. All I had was a Phillips head pin screw

 

[boobie]

Get a service manual and then take the lower unit apart. There are proper steps in putting it back together.

 

[jrglombo]

Think I damaged anything from taking pivot pin out?

 

[frobotz]

Get a service manual and then take the lower unit apart. There are proper steps in putting it back together.

there it is.

 

[Chinewalker]

Think I damaged anything from taking pivot pin out?

Shouldn't have. The spring and detent balls should still be in place as the dog can't go further than the face of the gear. Might get lucky and be able to reinstall the pin properly by aligning it with the hol in the shift for. An awl can help with that job.

 

[gm280]

NO you didn't effect the spring and/or the ball. Those parts are located under the clutch dog that changes the gears. I think you don't have the lever attached and that is why you can't change gears. Oh, I have the exact same engine model, year and HP but the Johnson version.

You MAY have to disassembly the lower foot section to get everything back to how it is suppose to be. That is unless you can take a small screw driver and align the shift lever up with the screw that holds it in position. Some times you can accomplish that without disassembling the foot. But it takes some patients.

Look up your engine to see the exploded view of how all the parts are assemble in the foot and it will help explain what you have to get back into alignment. JMHO

 

[Joe Reeves]

Think I damaged anything from taking pivot pin out?

Unlikely.... however, you may need to go "Boobies" route (Post #4)... BUT... try this first. Drain oil... turn engine upside down... with a pointed scribe, see if you can align the hole in the internal shift lever on the lower unit as needed to reinstall the shoulder bolt... you may be one of the lucky ones to have that lever drop into the shifter dog cradle slots.... Worth a shot.

 

[jrglombo]

Alright, I'm going to do a little more research and give it a try. I'm swapping outboard from a rotten 1960's Larson hull to a same vintage lone star aluminum hull. I'll tip it upside down when I do the swap.