'63 Bigtwin 40 gearshift trouble

[autogun]

Hello again, I recently picked up a '63 40hp Evinrude. After a good cleaning and replacing the coils, I got it running and pumpng water in the barrel. When the shifter is in straight up 'neutral' position, it is in gear, when in forward position, it acts like neutral...??? I don't know anything about the history. Does this sound like a common problem or like someone was into it & missed something on reassembly??? Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

 

[F_R]

Re: '63 Bigtwin 40 gearshift trouble

Remove the hood and watch the linkage between the shift lever and the motor housing. Is there a lot of slop or lost motion? If so, fix wherever it is.

If that looks ok, then remove the inspection cover(s) from the midsection and watch in there as you operate the shifter. Again, when the shifter moves, the rod must move, with no slop. Sometimes the shifter shaft or clevis up at the top breaks. Powerhead removal and sometimes exhaust housing removal is required to fix.

 

[autogun]

Re: '63 Bigtwin 40 gearshift trouble

Remove the hood and watch the linkage between the shift lever and the motor housing. Is there a lot of slop or lost motion? If so, fix wherever it is.

If that looks ok, then remove the inspection cover(s) from the midsection and watch in there as you operate the shifter. Again, when the shifter moves, the rod must move, with no slop. Sometimes the shifter shaft or clevis up at the top breaks. Powerhead removal and sometimes exhaust housing removal is required to fix.

Thanks, I will be at the garage later to check it out.

 

[autogun]

Re: '63 Bigtwin 40 gearshift trouble

Ok, I have checked it over. I don't see any linkage abnormalities, I peeked into the access port on the tower body, and the rods are connected and seem to have full range of movement. The shifter handle seems to move through the range with the possible exception of maybe not quite moving all the way into reverse. Just in case, I picked up a Gale 40hp for possible lower unit doner, and then realized the access port in on the left side, and the '63 Evinrude is on the right...???

 

[F_R]

Re: '63 Bigtwin 40 gearshift trouble

The Gale lower unit won't fit...period. Some internal parts might though.

 

[Daviet]

Re: '63 Bigtwin 40 gearshift trouble

You didn't by chance change the lower unit oil by removing the phillips head screw did you?

 

[autogun]

Re: '63 Bigtwin 40 gearshift trouble

Well, I didn't remove that screw, but like I said, I don't know the history of this motor. How would I check to see if that happened? And what to do if it has happened?...Thanks

 

[autogun]

Re: '63 Bigtwin 40 gearshift trouble

Any last minute suggestions, before I get brave and crack the lower unit...???

 

[lindy46]

Re: '63 Bigtwin 40 gearshift trouble

Before tearing into the gearcase, I'd drain and remove the lower unit. Lay it on its' side and remove the Phillips head pivot pin and see if it is passing through the hole in the shift yoke. Use a flashlight and SLIGHTLY move the shift rod and see if the hole in the yoke is in the proper position.