7.5 Thunderbolt

[Leeworthy23]

I just bought this motor the other day. Works great, purrs like a Merc should.
I had it out on the water today and noticed that when I gave it gas the motor tried to flip up and out of the water. Got home, and noticed that underneath the motor where the tilt lock pin goes there is a catch of some sort, How do I engage that. Do I just manually put it into the catch position, or should it happen automatically when the motor is in forward gear?

 

[SC1650]

Re: 7.5 Thunderbolt

Here's a diagram of the unit showing the necessary parts to make the motor work correctly. These motors are not supposed to be able to be tilted unless the shifter is in the forward position. On my motor they ground off the catches on part #8 to allow it to be raised while in Neutral. I had to replace this part at a cost of $15.00. I picked it up used at a local shop. Check to see that you have all the correct parts by going over the photo. It is small and I don't know how to make it larger for you to see.

 

[Leeworthy23]

Re: 7.5 Thunderbolt

Thanks.

Yes the catch is there, and it works fine if I manually engage it. I guess I will trace the parts and see what it needs to engage it. Like I said, I can manually engage the part from under the motor, but not sure how I would do that if the motor is on the boat in the water.

 

[huntin dawg]

Re: 7.5 Thunderbolt

I just bought this motor the other day. Works great, purrs like a Merc should.
I had it out on the water today and noticed that when I gave it gas the motor tried to flip up and out of the water. Got home, and noticed that underneath the motor where the tilt lock pin goes there is a catch of some sort, How do I engage that. Do I just manually put it into the catch position, or should it happen automatically when the motor is in forward gear?

Something doesn't sound right... It flips up out of the water in FORWARD? It should only do that in REVERSE if the lock isn't functioning. Forward thrust will push the boat, not push the motor up out of the water. Is the motor even shifting properly? Sounds to me like something is backwards.

HD

 

[bob1340]

Re: 7.5 Thunderbolt

I agree the motor should not jump while in forward. Mine is a new to me 1970 or so model and it can be tilted in any gear. I don't see where anything was modified on it. Did they have a neutral/reverse lock out in all years and why? What is the object of not letting it tilt in neutral? It would seem safer to me to let it tilt in neutral so you don't forget to put it in neutral when you drop the motor down.

 

[huntin dawg]

Re: 7.5 Thunderbolt

I agree the motor should not jump while in forward. Mine is a new to me 1970 or so model and it can be tilted in any gear. I don't see where anything was modified on it. Did they have a neutral/reverse lock out in all years and why? What is the object of not letting it tilt in neutral? It would seem safer to me to let it tilt in neutral so you don't forget to put it in neutral when you drop the motor down.

It should lock in neutral and reverse. It locks in neutral so it doesn't pull up when you pull start it.

HD

 

[Leeworthy23]

Re: 7.5 Thunderbolt

okay, I checked it out, and it does lock in neutral and reverse, I think the reason it was coming up was the swells were just so large for the little 14' boat. Waves were around 1 1/2 feet today. Was just a little to choppy, and the motor and boat just couldnt plane at all, so once I was giving it gas it would just bounce around with the chop.

Thanks for the info.

 

[bob1340]

Re: 7.5 Thunderbolt

It should lock in neutral and reverse. It locks in neutral so it doesn't pull up when you pull start it.

HD

I was going off what sc1550 said that it would only tilt in forward.

I think it is made to "lock" in any position, but obviously forward should have a break away in the event you hit something. I don't have a manual yet for this motor, but I know my evinrude has a 250 lb break away.

 

[Leeworthy23]

Re: 7.5 Thunderbolt

Awesome. Yeah, I still think the problem was with the wake being just too much for the small boat. Great little motors though.