Reconnecting Shift Linkage 1970 9.5 hp

[gnarbrah]

Hi all - it's me again. I got the chance to work on my "new" 1970 Evinrude 9.5 tonight for the first time. I got the carb rebuild kit and new impeller. I got the carb apart ok and cleaned / installed the rebuild kit without any major problems then I pulled the lower unit and changed the impeller. Now I can't for the life of me get the linkage back together. I can get the copper tube back in and the drive shaft just to that "point" You know the critical one where maybe the splines are lined up in the power head or maybe not?? Anyway I can get the set screw coupling back to the "nub" that stays in the lower unit and tighten the screw but when I try to shift into forward to help "pull" the lower unit up that last 1/2" or so it pulls the "nub" out of the coupling. I'm thinking I don't have it seated completely but I can't quite figure out how to get the coupling over the nub that last 1/8" or so to make sure it grabs.

Any suggestions or is it just wiggle it till it goes?

Thanks!

 

[DJ]

Re: Reconnecting Shift Linkage 1970 9.5 hp

Put the lower unit in gear. Reverse, if I remember right. This allows you to turn the prop and the driveshaft for lining it up.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Reconnecting Shift Linkage 1970 9.5 hp

Spread the brass coupler with a screwdriver to make it slip over the upper rod.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Reconnecting Shift Linkage 1970 9.5 hp

if the coupler came out okay and it did as you have it apart then no need to seperate it with a screw driver. You can break them pretty easy that way. The shift rod has a groove in it. the groove it where the screw fits. If it it not in the right place it will come apart every time. The shift rod needs to be in reverse as stated. Then it will drop down a little farther to help you.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Reconnecting Shift Linkage 1970 9.5 hp

Spreading the coupler is an easy way to get it back into position. You tweak it open, not pry till it breaks.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Reconnecting Shift Linkage 1970 9.5 hp

sounded like he had it in place just not far enough. You are not trying to put it in with the bolt in place are you? It has to go in then put the bolt in.

 

[gnarbrah]

Re: Reconnecting Shift Linkage 1970 9.5 hp

No - I've got the bolt completely out. I see how the bolt has to go into the groove but I just can't quite get it that far. Next big question - What position should the shifter (the part that is still in the lower unit) be in? I can grab it with some needle nose and "manually" shift it. If I pull it up (towards the power head) is that in forward? If so, when I connect it with the shift lever in reverse is that going to cause a problem? It seems if I do that I have the best chance of getting it back together.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Reconnecting Shift Linkage 1970 9.5 hp

Lift the part of the shift rod in the gearcase as high as it will go and push the shift lever to lower the upper section onto the lower. Once connected, move the shift lever gently to help move the gearcase up the last 1/2 inch or so as it will tend to hold the gearcase down otherwise.

Lightly turning the flywheel will help get the driveshaft in position.

 

[eavega]

Re: Reconnecting Shift Linkage 1970 9.5 hp

No - I've got the bolt completely out. I see how the bolt has to go into the groove but I just can't quite get it that far. Next big question - What position should the shifter (the part that is still in the lower unit) be in? I can grab it with some needle nose and "manually" shift it.

That's what I do. I bring the shift rod as high as I can, holding it with the needle nose pliers, and then use the shift lever to lower the coupler onto the shift rod (Shifting from forward to neutral to reverse). I keep moving the shift lever back and holding the shift rod with the pliers until I can see that the groove in the shift rod is in the correct position to replace the bolt. Works for me every time.

-E

 

[Evinrookie]

Re: Reconnecting Shift Linkage 1970 9.5 hp

I'm not familiar with your motor but I just replace my impellar for the first time and it sounds to me like trying to use the shift lever to pull up the lower unit is a bad idea. If the splines of the driveshaft aren't lined up all you will do is strip the brass coupling and I don't think the shift rod is meant to lift the weight of the entire lower unit. I had the same trouble putting mine back together where there was about a half inch left to go. All I had to do was slowly rotate the prop clockwise and the driveshaft splines lined up and up it went.

And yes, shift into reverse to bring the uper shift linkage down so it is easier to get to. Good luck and be patient.