Hard to Shift

[scottzfx]

I've recently bought a boat with a 1975 Johnson 115. Engine seems to run strong and start without much effort. However, I have noticed that the throttle is stiff. It shifts from Neutral to Forward or Reverse with little effort, but the further you push forward, the stiffer it gets. Then when trying to back off, it is also stiff. Is this a control cable issue? The previous owner has moved the control box from the outside to under the side with only the throttle lever sticking through. I don't even know if its the original control box. Don't know if that matters. Any help is appreciated.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Hard to Shift

Ya, I would think it is cables but hard to say what the PO did to it, may have kinked a cable, pics would help.

There is alot of stuff in the control box and if he took it apart he could have reassembled it wrong too.

How do you get it started with only the throttle exposed?

 

[scottzfx]

Re: Hard to Shift

After some further reading/looking, I'm pretty sure it's not the original control box. It says OMC on the throttle. The ignition has been routed to the dash and the key is not the pistol style that the original keys appear to be. I'm going to try to disconnect the shifter cable from the motor and see if its still stiff. If so, I will start looking for kinks or try to get to the control box. I'll get some pictures this afternoon and post tonight.

 

[scottzfx]

Re: Hard to Shift

Looks like the original box was replaced with a concealed box from the 80's. Without taking the box out, it looks very much like the one pictured below. I'll post pics of the control cables going into the motor in a few. How do I take them loose making sure not to make things worse?

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Hard to Shift

take cables loose at motor .if your throttle is smooth, then its your cable thats a newer stlye control

 

[scottzfx]

Re: Hard to Shift

Here are the pics of the control cables attached to the engine. I'm wondering if the cables are getting bent when I tilt the motor up for trailering. It doesn't have power tnt, so I use the tilt and lock mechanism on the motor. How can I prevent this from happening? I have to tilt the motor to trailer it.

How do I take the control cables off and make sure I don't get them out of alignment?

 

[scottzfx]

Re: Hard to Shift

OK. I am beginning to think its an adjustment issue. The throttle shifts easily into through all gears. It only starts to tighten up when the throttle reaches a 45 degree angle to Neutral (either forward or reverse). I won't push it pas that for fear of breaking/stretching something.

However, with the cowling off, muffs on, and shifting, I noticed that the throttle linkage doesn't move until well after shifting into forward or reverse. The engine doesn't even start to rev (don't have a tach) until about 25 degrees to neutral. The shift linkage starts moving as soon as its engaged. By the time I get to the 45 degree angle the throttle linkage has just barely started to move (maybe 1/4 throttle). Does this make any sense? Is full throttle 90 degrees to neutral?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Hard to Shift

100% normal, you have a nice sweeping loop at the motor, unless there is a tight bend, making the turn into the motor well, i would say the cable is due for replacement, that control could have easily been original equipment. many boat builders use concealed controls and dash mount switches. it looked classier. still does.

 

[scottzfx]

Re: Hard to Shift

When the main man speaks, people listen. I'm off to order a set of replacement cables and a manual. To everyone: Thanks for the help!