1978 Johnson 115 reverse issues

[TruckrBoatn]

Have a 1978 Johnson 115. It was shifting in to reverse great 2 years ago. I ended up damaging the skeg and removed the LU to take in for repair.




First time removing the LU on my own and I didn’t keep track of the number of turns on the shift rod. I got the LU back and installed back on to engine. Reverse wouldn’t engage without grinding. I didn’t have time to diagnose and fix that year or last. This summer I started working on it again.




I got the proper shift rod height for my model which was 4 rotations. I also noticed my cables were getting worn so I replaced them as well. Got it all back together and on muffs and it shifted beautifully without adjusting shift cable (cable had almost 1/2 of the adjusting threads still available for use).




Was cleaning up after the job and noticed I didn’t put the shift rod grommet in place (rubber that slides down over shift rod and rests at base).




Next day I dropped the LU to put the grommet back. The rod felt a little rough at the base so I cleaned it up with emory cloth and applied some grease then placed the grommet and put the LU back on engine. Put on muffs and it wouldn’t shift in to reverse. Adjusted cable time and time again and kept getting same result.




So now I’ve rotated the rod 6 times and have my shift cable extended as far as it can go and I can get reverse on muffs but I have a feeling once in the water it will grind.




At my wits end I dropped the LU and removed the grommet then reinstalled LU and it will shift great again with out all the overkill adjustments on the shift cable and rod. Grommet appears fine and isn’t swollen.




I’ve also replaced the bushing and pin the shift cable connects to on the engine as there was a ton of sideways play there.




Any ideas?

 

[racerone]

A dimension is used to set the shift rod height.----No idea where you get this 4 or 6 turns !!

 

[TruckrBoatn]

A dimension is used to set the shift rod height.----No idea where you get this 4 or 6 turns !!

Yes that’s right but the rod is forward facing therefore it has to be a complete turn. The height is just under 21 7/8 and i say just under because I haven’t got the book with me ATM.

regardless of that 4 turns out from the bottom is the proper height according to the book 6 turns is where I got it to work and I saw no point measuring since it’s going to be over 22 inches high and way out of spec at 6 turns. I apologize for using incorrect terminology, I didn’t think it’d be a big deal when asking for help.

I double checked and 21 53/64 is the proper height as listed in book and elsewhere in this forum and that’s what I measured for.

 

[racerone]

Dimension is 21-27/32"-----Good luck with it.----What book said 6 turns ??

 

[TruckrBoatn]

Dimension is 21-27/32"-----Good luck with it.----What book said 6 turns ??

Seriously I didn’t say that at all. The book I got from my local store and https://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...y-obj?t=158088 both day 21 53/64

what I was trying to say is that as close as I can get to that measurement happens to be 4 turn out from bottom.
That worked until I noticed the grommet I forgot to put back. When I put the grommet back everything went bad so I willy nilly turned it out 2 more turns hoping it would be enough.

What have I done to **** you off? I’ve already explained I did measured twice yet you persist on implying I just guessed it all.

Im really not interested in a pissing match with you over some terminology. I’m happy to just let the thread die.

Good day.