70 hp Evinrude Lower Unit spins reversed?? Why?

[CaptainHook]

Ok real quick, 1975 evinrude 70hp had a broken prop shaft. I took a lower unit I had from a 1973 evinrude 70 and installed it. Start it up, put in gear and spins reverse in forward and forward in reverse.

I did not touch shist cables or anything of that sort. Only installs one way, shift rod can only go in one way, I am puzzled. But the throttle does not move very far when you shift it. Could the previous owner have installed new cables wrong in the control box?

They can't be reversed on the motor as one bolts on and one clips on. HELP!!!!

 

[Daviet]

Re: 70 hp Evinrude Lower Unit spins reversed?? Why?

There were some engines that had lower units that rotated backwards, maybe you got the wrong lower unit. I have heard installing a different prop that would cure the problem, never tried it.
Did you check the cross reference on the lower unit to see if the one you used had the proper rotation?

 

[CaptainHook]

Re: 70 hp Evinrude Lower Unit spins reversed?? Why?

There were some engines that had lower units that rotated backwards, maybe you got the wrong lower unit. I have heard installing a different prop that would cure the problem, never tried it.
Did you check the cross reference on the lower unit to see if the one you used had the proper rotation?

I sold the propeller that came on the parts motor a while back, I am pretty sure it was a right hand rotation. I don't even think they had counter rotation in those years and never that I can recall in mid-range horsepower. That is why I am puzzled....I could be wrong though.

I am thinking something in the controls since the throttle does not have full range.

 

[boobie]

Re: 70 hp Evinrude Lower Unit spins reversed?? Why?

Sounds like you got two different l/u's . On the '73 you pushed the shift rod down for forward. On the '75 you pulled the shift rod up for forward. Check it out.

 

[CaptainHook]

Re: 70 hp Evinrude Lower Unit spins reversed?? Why?

So what to do then? The linkage looks exactly the same on both motors. Is it in the control box? Do I need to switch the cable position inside the controls?

 

[CaptainHook]

Re: 70 hp Evinrude Lower Unit spins reversed?? Why?

Sounds like you got two different l/u's . On the '73 you pushed the shift rod down for forward. On the '75 you pulled the shift rod up for forward. Check it out.

And it was my mistake, the new lower is from a 74 model not 73, there actually was no 70hp in 73. Anyway, the complete lower unit from both years is the same exact OMC part #.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 70 hp Evinrude Lower Unit spins reversed?? Why?

The lower units may have originally been the same, but my bet is the parts motor you have was already mismatched with a later lower unit. Only way to make it work is to get the shift linkage off a later 70/75hp (c. 1978 & up). Gotta pull the powerhead to swap the linkage. Other option is to get the correct lower unit for your motor.

 

[CaptainHook]

Re: 70 hp Evinrude Lower Unit spins reversed?? Why?

The lower units may have originally been the same, but my bet is the parts motor you have was already mismatched with a later lower unit. Only way to make it work is to get the shift linkage off a later 70/75hp (c. 1978 & up). Gotta pull the powerhead to swap the linkage. Other option is to get the correct lower unit for your motor.

I am going to have to do some digging around here. Obviously the lower unit swap is easier but buying one for this boat I am working on is kind of out as it is for a friend with little/no money available. AAARRRGGGG!!!! Sometimes I regret telling people I will help them with mechincal type things!

 

[CaptainHook]

Re: 70 hp Evinrude Lower Unit spins reversed?? Why?

Well, the good news is that the lower unit does actually shift opposite from other years. even better news is that the linkage on the side of the engine is what is different, NO NEED TO PULL THE POWERHEAD!!!! Awesome!!!

I just have to swap out the shift arm and link. No big deal , 10 mins of work. Thanks alot, I would not have thoupght about looking at the linkage. I thought all of these were the same for all years!

 

[boobie]

Re: 70 hp Evinrude Lower Unit spins reversed?? Why?

If you would have given the correct model #, I could have told you about the linkage. Been there and done that. Anyway, glad you got it figured out. Let us know the final outcome.