Prop shaft turns in both directions during gear case assembly?

[Two Smoke]

Hello:

I am rebuilding the gearcase on a 1983 35hp Johnson LS. All is going well but have a question before I set the snap ring in place.

The prop shaft turns freely in both directions which makes me wonder if the clutch dog (new) is engaging properly. When I pull on the shift rod (by hand) I can see the reverse gear engage and disengage; before sliding in and setting the reverse gear I noticed the forward hear and pinion where indexing fine.

I have been following the shop manual instructions and have not been having any problems so far.

I used white lithium marine grease to hold the cradle on the clutch dog while securing the shift lever; this same grease was dabbed in other parts of the assembly to "stick" parts while assembling. I also coated all parts in gear oil.

Before I struggle with the snap ring I want to be certain I am on the right track... should the prop shaft turn in both directions at this point or could something not be engaging?

I appreciate any feedback here.

Good day.

 

[Joe Reeves]

In neutral, the propshaft should turn in both directions. The "clutch" (dog) is actually a metal slide with lobes that is splined to the propshaft. In neutral, the dog is sitting between the two gears with the dog lobes not touching the lobes of either gears. The following from my database may be of some use to you.

(Shifting With Engine Not Running)
(J. Reeves)

The following should explain the proper procedure for shifting into gear when the engine IS NOT running.

Pertaining to the manual shift models, when shifting into gear with the engine NOT RUNNING, the prop must be spun so as not to possibly have the dog and gear lobes run directly into each other.

To grasp this scenario, with your left hand form a "C" with your thumb and forefinger. Now, with your right hand, form a backwards "C" with your thumb and forefinger. Your fingers will represent the dog and gear lobes.

Slide the finger and thumb of your right hand alongside the thumb and finger of your left hand so that they overlap. This is the position of the dog and gear lobes when properly in gear.

Seperate that position, then butt the tips of the finger and thumb of your right hand up against the finger and thumb tips of your left hand. This represents having the gear and dog lobes directly facing each other. Should you atempt to force the engine into gear with this condition existing, damage to the shift mechanism will surely ocurr.

 

[Vic.S]

Yes the prop shaft should rotate freely.

If you select forward or reverse the corresponding gear will also turn and so will the pinion in opposite directions depending on which gear is selected