96 70 HP, reverse problems

[jimogeek]

Hey board.<br /><br />I've got a 96 70 HP 'rude that has problems going in reverse. I changed the water pump over the winter, and thanks to the advice I received on the board it was a snap! I put my boat in the water for the season yesterday, but had problems with reverse. I revved it up to pull it off the trailer (pontoon boat with float on), but it didn't budge. I finally got it off but at risk of drowning my truck! After I got out in the lake, it wouldn't go into reverse, but the rpm's were really going. Finally it 'clunked in' when the motor was at about 2,000 rpms, not something I want to do again. I assume I have to adjust a linkage somewhere, the motor responds as normal but the trans appears to be off a bit, it shift into forward much sooner than in used to. What do I adjust? The manual is not very helpful on this one.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 96 70 HP, reverse problems

My first thoughts are toward the shift shaft in the lower unit, if it worked fine before you changed the water pump. Are you sure you have it lined up right? Is the bolt secure holding the upper shift rod to the lower rod? Could have slipped if it was not tightened down properly. There is an adjustment at the shift cable at the engine. Look for a trunnion nut (Black) on the cable. This is the adjustment. There is usually a plate holding it in place, so it's really unlikely that it moved. Try removeing the shift cable and see if you can manually get it in reverse. The prop should not turn by hand if it's in reverse.

 

[jimogeek]

Re: 96 70 HP, reverse problems

Rick,<br /><br />Thanks for the help.. again! I was able to fix it this afternoon. I remember having a touchy spot last year trying to get it to go into reverse, and I guess taking it all apart and putting it back together with the new impellor (kit) messed up the adjustment just enough to no longer kick it into reverse. There is some sort of platic box directly behind the pivot arm that when it went into reverse would stop the movement of the arm. The plastic box had a groove where the pivot point kept rubbing it! It was held in by two bolts at each corner, I removed the lower one and swung it out a couple of inches allowing for more clearance and a full range of motion. Then I tweaked on the adjustment you pointed out and was able to get the gears to engage in a reasonable manner. Not perfect, but good enough. I'll have to tweak a bit more. I have the clymer for this motor, and it really lacks any detail about the trans and likage adjustments regarding the gears! <br /><br />Thanks for the advice.

 

[clanton]

Re: 96 70 HP, reverse problems

You probley need to adjust the shift rod height.