'72 Johnson 85 Reverse Lock question

[carmangary1]

My boat motor manual says that if I hit something underwater, the reverse lock will still let the motor tilt. Can someone explain how that will happen since it is locked to the tilt pin?<br /><br />Just curious how it works.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Gary

 

[JB]

Re: '72 Johnson 85 Reverse Lock question

Set up correctly it only locks the leg if you shift into reverse.

 

[carmangary1]

Re: '72 Johnson 85 Reverse Lock question

OK, so how do you correctly set it up on a 1972 Johnson 85?

 

[P.V.]

Re: '72 Johnson 85 Reverse Lock question

If you tilt up the outboard and look under the midsection, you will see two spring loaded units. When the motor "hits" an object, hopefully head-on and at a speed somewhat higher than dead idle, these units should/maybe/if you're lucky will "release" their lockdown function and "allow" the motor to come up and away from the submerg'd object. You should have a center "shock-absorber" to help cushion this impact and allow the motor to return down at a somewhat slow rate. My advise is don't rely on this system to make a bad situation better. If you find that as you zoom across the lake and find that you are gunna hit something, pucker up and hold on, the rest will take care of itself, you hope!!