Clinton 7.5 Shifter

[ljs22]

To avoid someone having to bring it up I know Clinton outboards are marginal performers. I already have a "Johnyrude" 7.5, but I am trying to get this little K751 back into service. Parts are not that hard to find when you can make you own gaskets and small metal pieces.

My questions is about the shifter mechanism. I have the parts manual with the exploded diagrams but there is not a lot of detail about how the shifter works. It looks like the shifter is a cam mechanism, or in my case a handle with a rivet looking object pressed into the end, that pushes a dog down when you put it in neutral and lets it engage the engine when you put it in forward. Maybe it is the opposite, but I am at work and I can't remember. I am assuming my spring is weak since it doesn't really return to the up position without some assistance. Rather then spend a lot of money (see above) is it possible to just stretch this spring or shim it up on the bottom to get it to provide the proper lift to the dog?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Clinton 7.5 Shifter

I believe you will find the spring rusted it may just be dragging from the rust
or shot.When the clutch is disingaged the impeller doesn't pump water.
Many just lock up the clutch.

 

[ljs22]

Re: Clinton 7.5 Shifter

I have the setup torn down and the spring is not rusted that I can see. It just doesn't seem to put enough up pressure on the coupler. I have cleaned and greased the shaft and that improved it, but it just won't go all the way up without help. That was why I was asking about shimming or stretching the spring to make up for it. I guess it couldn't hurt to try as it is easy enough to test the mechanism by using a drill on the shaft and trying to shift. I am just trying to keep this motor from becoming a "dock-buster" like my other 5HP Eska direct drive. I assume that is what locking up the clutch would result in?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Clinton 7.5 Shifter

I does seem that I read somewhere if left in neutral the spring would stay compressed maybe stretching would work.
If you can get it to idle down it won't be a dock buster.Maybe they don't like to idle.Straight drive was all we had when I was a kid. Even our our old 12
Elto would slow right down.But you only got one try and my mother would kill it 15 ft out and get the paddle ready.