1987 48 SPL Shift rod removal???

[mikeyk101]

I am wanting to service my water pump and am stuck at the beginning of getting the shift rod disconnected. I am usually pretty good at figuring things out but I'm stumped. I do have the OMC service manual. It simply states to remove the shift lever retaining pin, then push the shift lever toward the powerhead to disengage the shift lever from the shift rod. Thats the entire set of directions. It then has a picture showing the pin. I also have a copy of the OMC parts catalog and I see that part #74 is listed as Pin Retainer, shift lever. The location on mine is in the first pic and I have already removed this pin. I still dont understand how to get shift rod disconnected. Looking at the schematics (pic 2) it looks like the pin #74 should go in the end of that rod. The pin on mine fits where the arrow is instead of the end. The end of the rod (pic 3) seems to have a fitting with a bolt in it and I can see no small pins to pull. Pic 4 shows the entire shift lever. The arrow is where I pulled the pin from and the "?" is where it seems like I should be finding some kind of pin.

So I am stumped. My google fu is usually pretty strong. I have searched for other threads along with numerous youtube videos and none of them seem to match up with my setup. I know if I can figure this out, the rest of getting the lower out will be a breeze. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

 

[mikeyk101]

Pic #4

 

[racerone]

Stop--------Remove the starter motor and you will see the pin you have to take out.-----That is if your motor is in fact an 87 model.-----Your model # is ??----The pin is screwed in horizontally.----It will be easy.

 

[racerone]

edit

 

[mikeyk101]

I am going to be blunt here.------The instructions you were trying to follow have never applied to your 48 HP model !!

The directions came right out of the manual. It's an OMC Mnual Part #507616. Not sure what else I could use for reference...

 

[racerone]

If you have removed the hitch pin item 74 you need to push that rod towards the port side of the motor.----That pin is NOT where your ? mark is.----Removing the starter may help you see what is going on.------I just can't recall that set up on the 2 cylinder motors.-------It was used on 3 / 4 / 6 cylinder models ---Sorry.

 

[mikeyk101]

Starter motor now removed and I still dont see any pin. On the fitting on the end, I did initially start removing that bolt but ended up stopping because none of the directions mentioned to remove it. I just haven't retightened it yet. As you can see, I have a J48ESLCU which says it should be a 1987 Johnson 48 SPL and I have bought numerous parts before and they were always correct.

 

[racerone]

Your first picture shows that 1/4 bolt loosened.----Tighten it back up.------Part 85 is attached to that shaft and it has the pin.-----Push that shaft to the port side and rotate that shaft to release the shift rod.----As stated I can't recall this set-up on the 2 cylinder models.

 

[mikeyk101]

I will give it a try in a little bit. Thank you

 

[mikeyk101]

Ok, I think I just had an aha moment. If I'm understanding what's going on, the finger on Part #85 goes into the top hole of the shifter rod. So when I push the whole shifter towards port, the finger comes out of the shift rod and will then allow me to pull the lower. Does that sound right?

 

[racerone]

That would be correct.

 

[mikeyk101]

Thank you racerone so much for your guidance. It is much appreciated!