73 Chrysler 20 HP stuck in gear

[btroy]

Hi guys, looks like I am working on my sons 73 Chrysler 20 HP this weekend. Anyway its stuck in gear so I removed the lower unit and can not move the shift rod up or down. Any solution for this issue short of getting the lower unit rebuilt?

I just love it when he buys something and says it runs good then he needs me to take a look at it.

I do not have a manual. I was thinking he could order an electronic one but he is cheap so he brought it to me to fix....go figure. :facepalm:

Already need to fix the fuel lines and adjust the carb and install a new impeller while I have the lower unit off.

VWB 27420
37x20503

I went ahead and purchased a electronic manual, should get the password in a few hours.


Any suggestions?

 

[btroy]

Re: 73 Chrysler 20 HP stuck in gear

I went ahead and used the manual and took it apart, I seen nothing but thick grease in it. Like contaminated gear lube.

Anyway now I have cleaned it all and am looking for a COMPLETE lower unit seal/gasket/oil seal kit. Anyone know where to get the correct kit? Or do they sale all of this separate?

 

[btroy]

Re: 73 Chrysler 20 HP stuck in gear

just so this thread is complete ( I just don't like uncompleted threads) I took the unit apart.

It appears the groove the manuf. cut into the gear housing for the snap ring on the lower unit broke and separated from the main gear housing. It appears they machined this part too deep and over time it has been stressed and broke. This allowed the bearing housing to slide out a bit and the shift paw dropped below the reverse gear and jammed. This prevented it from shifting out of forward.

I will have to determine how to reattach the broken housing to the main housing. I will try JB weld and if this does not work I will try and locate another lower gear housing.

OK thread completed.....happy boating