80's 45HP reverse lock help needed

[Mustang67ford]

Hello,

I recently got a classic fifty 45hp outboard sn #0A986630. I am having trouble with the reverse lock. I have the cam in the lower unit, pushrod, adjust bolt, hooks etc. So looks like I have all the parts. It will release when in fwd, but in reverse, it wont stay locked if I pull on it. It takes a slight pull, but it will release and pull up. I am thinking somebody had messed with the springs as they don't look right. Wondering if anybody has any pics of what the setup is supposed to look like. When in rev, should it release if pulling up? I did look up the parts diagram, but cant see how it is supposed to look when assembled.

Thank you.

 

[The Force power]

I don't remember if the locking-rod is adjustable at the cams, if not you'll have to drop the lower-unit & adjust the plastic piece on the shift-shaft so it will push the locking-rod higher & ultimately the cams further down

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

No adjustments, but the cam may be off a tooth and not pushing the rod up enough for the hooks to engage. The springs are probably fine, they pull the hooks past the engagement point in forward to let the motor rise if something is hit.

 

[Mustang67ford]

Thanks for the info. There is a spring hooked to a tab on the side of the pin on the locking teeth. I don't know where the other end of the spring is supposed to hook. Does anybody have a pics of this area? The pin connects the locking teeth to the pushrod.

 

[Mustang67ford]

Found out where the spring goes. It hooks to a cotter pin you put thru a small hole below the locking teeth. Now just need to confirm if in revers and pulling up on the motor with a little effort, should the reverse lock release? If not, is there a way to figure out if the cam position is right without dropping the lower unit? Maybe pull the pushrod out and try to look down the hole?

 

[The Force power]

Found out where the spring goes. It hooks to a cotter pin you put thru a small hole below the locking teeth. Now just need to confirm if in revers and pulling up on the motor with a little effort, should the reverse lock release? If not, is there a way to figure out if the cam position is right without dropping the lower unit? Maybe pull the pushrod out and try to look down the hole?

The lock should not release in reverse, hence the name; reverse-lock
If your particular motor does not have an adjustable rod(near the locking-cams) you'll have to drop the lower-unit to adjust.
It's likely only one notch over, If....adjusted too far it will lock in the neutral-position or worse...in the forward-position

I'm looking for the schematic for your engine, but the serial# does not match the years & all the once I'm looking at do have the adjustment
Is yours a 3 or 4 Cylinder??

 

[The Force power]

let me know if this is it?