Prop gear problem...

[clarky711]

Greetings, this is all in reference to my 1959 Evinrude 35HP Lark. It's been running fine, but all of a sudden I'm getting a loud band coming from the prop gears. I took them all apart and put them back together and it stopped for a little while but then continued again. The whole boat (14' aluminum side console) shakes as it sounds like it's skipping inside of the housing. It seemed to happen every 6 seconds or so, regardless of RPM. There is plenty of oil and the seals all have been replaced this year.

Any ideas folks? Thanks in advance for the help!

Mike

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Prop gear problem...

Are you sure it's coming from the gears? This is an electric shift model, I assume....so it doesn't skip in neutral? Only forward? How about in reverse?
If it is an electric shift, and it is confirmed slipping, and the electric switches are confirmed good (the push-buttons go bad...) then you may want to start looking for a new lower end. Those electric shift parts are $$$, some aren't available, and it's usually cheaper to get a whole lower unit.
Just confirm that it is not the engine periodically cutting out (plugs, ignition, carb dirty or not adjusted, air leak, etc.) before you go tearing into the lower unit

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Prop gear problem...

If it's mechanical shift, worn clutch dog and fwd gear. The "bang" is going back into gear after it pops out. Caused by slow, tentative shifting. Shifting should always be brisk and positive. If you carefully examined the clutch dog, you would see a slight rounding or worse on the part that engages the fwd gear. The gear inner surface will also be somewhat rounded.

The fix is new parts.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Prop gear problem...

worn clutch dog and forward gear are very common, on that vintage 35. i had one and bought 3 lowers for it, all 3 were bad. tcoutboard.com, and seawaymarine.com, may have good parts for it.