No reverse and forward operating incorrectly

[GOFASTER]

I have a 1976 Johnson 200 Serial 200TL76S that will not go into reverse and forward operates incorrectly. Of course I bought the boat lake ready and have had nothing but problems since day one. When I engage forward, I have to go past the inital engage spot on the controller. Forward will click for about 10-15 seconds then slightly jump into gear. Reverse will click and never go into gear. I can manually put the engine in forward and reverse on land without the engine running and the prop will lock up in one direction. With the engine running, I could only get forward to completely engage, reverse would only click, then spin with no power. I thought the shift cable was the problem so I replaced both the shift cable and the throttle cable. Did not fix the problem. No matter how I adjust the cable, I can not get both forward and reverse. When I was able to get it into forward, on the water, it felt like it would slip out of gear just for a moment at moderate throttle. It did this 3-4 times in about 15 minutes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[F_R]

Re: No reverse and forward operating incorrectly

Hate to say this, but from what you are describing, it sounds like the lower unit is trashed. That motor has hydraulic-assisted shifting, which works sort of similar to power steering on a car, in principal anyway, with a spool valve and piston. The hydraulic system is supposed to hold it fully engaged into gear. Who knows what is messed up in there without tearing it down and looking? Probably the clutch dog and gears are shot from all the banging around when not fully in gear. Don't even think of going in there without a factory service manual and an understanding of what you are doing.