'81 Johnson V4 90 Linkage adjustment

[outonthewater]

I just replaced the water pump in my 1981 V4 90HP and when I put the lower unit back on the throttle would not engage forward. I tightened the cable up all the way on the motor linkage but it still has a bout 1/4" play in it and wont engage without pushing the linkage by hand - what did I do wrong? yes - I did make sure it was in Neutral when reassembling. Did the cable get bent or am I missing something?

 

[OBJ]

Re: '81 Johnson V4 90 Linkage adjustment

Welcome to iboats "water" !<br /><br />If all ya' did was replace the pump and didn't touch nothin' else and it was shifting OK before the lower unit removal.....make sure the pin screw made it through the hole in the end of the shift rod. It's kinda tight under there I know and you could have missed the hole and just got the shift rod jammed into place.

 

[ob]

Re: '81 Johnson V4 90 Linkage adjustment

Try disconnecting the shift cable clevis from the shift arm and manually shifting from neutral to forward and reverse and then back to neutral.If all works fine ,it's down to adjustment or cable replacement.When adjusting the shift cable ,it is best to disconnect the cable clevis from the shift arm.With the controls in the neutral position as well as the shift arm in the neutral position ,note the locaction alignment of the shift arm hole and the cable clevis.Both should be exactly aligned .If not,adjust the cable trunion until they are, and reconnect.Fine adjustment can be made from there if needed.<br /><br />Only other thing that could have gotten turned was the shift rod setting when you worked on the waterpump.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: '81 Johnson V4 90 Linkage adjustment

Is the motor running when you try to shift? Or at least are you spinning the prop as you try to shift?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: '81 Johnson V4 90 Linkage adjustment

If your doing this with the motor turned off,try giving the prop a spin as you shift.The ears on the dog and gear engage easier that way.<br /><br />DHP

 

[outonthewater]

Re: '81 Johnson V4 90 Linkage adjustment

those are all great responses - thanks e eryone for the help, I too think that it is going to boil down to a cable replacement.<br /><br />One thought we did have was that maybe the shift rod was suppossed to go in with the tip pointing to the rear, but I dont see that it would fit - looks like it is suppossed to be facing forward and that is how it is in the manual. thoughts?

 

[outonthewater]

Re: '81 Johnson V4 90 Linkage adjustment

oh - yes forgot to answer a couple questions; yes we are spinning the prop as we test this, in full forward, you can hear it clicking like it is moving into gear. then if we push the shift arm forward about 1/4"" it engages the gears.<br /><br />pin screw is definitely in the shift rod

 

[Dhadley]

Re: '81 Johnson V4 90 Linkage adjustment

OK, sounds like the shift shaft was moved while the unit was off. Did you measure the height to make sure its correct? <br /><br />Yes, the offset faces forward. No, the rod does not screw all the way in to be set right.

 

[outonthewater]

Re: '81 Johnson V4 90 Linkage adjustment

I did not measure the shift shaft - so you are saying that we may have inadvertently screwed the shift shaft in (or out) and that this change in length will affect shifting performance? this would make sense and explain why it worked before and not now. Do you happen to know what the correct length is for this shift shaft?<br /><br />you guys are pretty sharp!

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: '81 Johnson V4 90 Linkage adjustment

1979 thru 1981 V/4 models = (L) 21-27/32" - - (XL) 26-27/32" Have shift rod in neutral

 

[Dhadley]

Re: '81 Johnson V4 90 Linkage adjustment

Your service manual will give you the exact height and proceedure.<br /><br />Sharp? Dunno about that. Happened to me before? Yep. Had someone "help me" by tightening up that "loose rod thing" while the unit was in the stand.<br /><br />This might not be the answer but we need to start with the basics.