Motor will not go into forward gear

[catfish1981]

Hi All...My 1982 Chrysler 85 horse is just grinding when I put it into gear...Before that, it started jerking really bad..I was trying to get it out of the Mississippi back to the ramp, and It started jerking REALLY bad. I put it into neautral, and revved it, and it reved fine...went to put it back into gear and all it did was grind. Reverse works fine. I have some friends in the boating and outboard industry...they seem to think the clutch dog or forward gear is the culprat. (By the way I adjusted the linkages , so I know there right). My question is, I also have a 1981 Chrysler 140 that lost a cylender a while back...I uce it for parts...Would the complete foot off of the 140 go onto the 85? These Chryslers are giving me the blues, and I am hosting a catfishing tournament in 13 days...gotta have this baby runnin by then....

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Motor will not go into forward gear

Yes, it is most likely the forward gear and forward clutch drive dogs that have worn. They can be removed from the lower unit and re-dressed square. They will then work perfectly.

NOW: The lower unit off your 140 will fit just fine on your 85. Depending upon your 85, the gear ratio may be different and for best performance you may need to change the prop pitch. BUT- in a hurry and to get you on the water it weill do just fine.

PS: put the lower unit in forward and back up the prop until it contacts the drive dogs. Spin the drive shaft in gear twice and see how many turns the prop shaft makes. The 85 MAY be 2 to 1 while the 140 is most likely 1.76 to 1 Just for quick reference, the 2 to 1 will spin the prop once while the 1.76 to 1 will spin it about 1 1/4 times.

If both are the same ratio, fine. If the 85 is 2 to 1 and the 140 is 1.76 to 1 then install a prop 2 pitches lowwer--that is replace a 13 X 19 with a 13 X 17.

 

[catfish1981]

Re: Motor will not go into forward gear

Thanks for the quick responce Frank...You da man. One quick question...will it hurt to leave the lower geared foot on the 85 without changing the prop pitch or will it be kinds like putting a 4:11 rear end in a truck that had 3:73s in it?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Motor will not go into forward gear

No matter what gear ratio the lower unit has: As long as the engine stays within the 4500-5500 RPM range at WOT, there will be no ill effects. HOWEVER: You really want to prop for the higher end of the range--5000-5500 because performance will be better (hole shot and general performance in addition to possible top speed.), especially with the lower torque 3 cylinder 85.

Mind you, we could be talking anywhere from 3-8 MPH slower if the 85 had a 2-1 and you change to a 1.76-1. IF the 85 already has a 1.76, then you will see no changes in performance by swapping the lowers.

BTW: The 140 is a really nice engine. If it is only one damaged cylinderand it is able to be bored, you really should consider rebuilding it.

 

[catfish1981]

Re: Motor will not go into forward gear

YeaI thought about it, but parts are so expensive for them chryslers...Thought about selling the rest of it.