85 150hp Johnson Shift problem

DjKoKo

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 1, 2006
Messages
47
We replaced the water pump and water intake screen. Now it will shift into reverse freely and neutral but not forward. It's like it's blocked. Took too much off when we tried to undo the shift shaft from the top. We took off the shift lever with the screw and the pin. Took us a bit to get in back in but we got it. Now it just won't shift into forward gear.

1985 J150STLCOS
 

SparkieBoat

Captain
Joined
Aug 17, 2009
Messages
3,643
Re: 85 150hp Johnson Shift problem

sounds like you did not puy it back properly. go to an online outboard parts web site that has a diagram of the part of your motor and look at how it goes back, or find another motor and look at it. also did you check your shift shaft length??
 

carholme

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
4,845
Re: 85 150hp Johnson Shift problem

DjKoKo;

Here is the parts list for your engine:

http://www.crowleymarine.com/johnson-evinrude/4242.cfm

When you re-assembled the lower unit to the engine, did you ensure that the LU and the boat controls were in the same gear?

ie;

When you had the LU off, did someone inadvertantly move the boat controls or did you move the shift shaft on the LU up or down wnen you had it off?

Gerry
 

DjKoKo

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 1, 2006
Messages
47
Re: 85 150hp Johnson Shift problem

We dropped the lower unit again and it shifts fine manually so it's not the lower unit. We put the LU back on BUT did not connect the shift shaft (on purpose) and reinserted the screw pin as if we connect the shift shaft. IT DID NOT move forward. It looks like the PIN in hitting on something when it is tightened up. as soon as we back it out it shifts fine. I'm wondering if we don't have the shift lever (where the slot for the shaft goes) upside down.
 

carholme

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
4,845
Re: 85 150hp Johnson Shift problem

You say it shifts fine manually. Did you verify this by observing which way you could rotate the prop when each gear is selected?

When you are talking about the shift lever are you referring to item 14 and the screw pin , item 3 here:

http://www.crowleymarine.com/johnson-evinrude/parts/45096.cfm

Because once you have the lower unit ready to install you should never have to remove that retaining screw, item 3 again.

Gerry
 

DjKoKo

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 1, 2006
Messages
47
Re: 85 150hp Johnson Shift problem

YEP! that was the problem. The lock washer not being on it let the Screw pin go in to far. Shifts fine now. THANKS!
 
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