Reverse grind 1976 55 Hp

FillupD

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 5, 2007
Messages
261
I have a 1976 motor that grinds when I shift to reverse and does not go in to gear. It feels like it does go into reverse OK out of water but not in. I have a couple of questions I hope someone can help me with.
When I shift into forward it goes into forward gear right away, like closer than an inch movement. Is this normal?

A little history.
1. I removed this lower unit to put a large gear case lower unit on. Bad idea, it shifted backwards so I took the large gear case back off.
2. The original lower unit sat around for awhile and I am sure the shift rod had gotten turned.
3. Put the original lower unit back on and shifting in the driveway is fine but not in the water.(for reverse)
4. I turned the rod all the way in because it seemed if I pushed the rod down farther than the shift lever/cable setup could it was more solid and went into gear but not with out pushing it down with a screwdriver.
5. I screwed the shift rod to quite a few different lengths and it still just seemed like it didn't want to pop into gear, even turning a little in reverse in the water but not solid and barely moved the boat. In the driveway you can't turn it with your foot when its in reverse but it just doesn't cut it when it tries to move water.

I'm getting kinda tired of messing around with this and I am using the boat, reverse is not really mandatory but it would come in handy once in a while.

Are my options to get the correct measurement and take it out and set the rod to the proper length? (Actually I think I would have hit the proper length in all of the adjusting in there somewhere.) OR
Did something in the gear box get out of alignment or a clutch or lever get out out of place and I am wasting the time; and not mess around with the measurement and just take it apart and re-align something in the gearbox that fell out of place and then set it to the correct measurement?

Any opinions or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

On this same motor, the warm-up lever will not push the cam to the starting position. I pop the hood off if it doesn't start and move the cam a little by hand, which in turn moves the warm up lever. When it warms up I can push the warm up lever down and it will idle right down with no problems running or accelerating. (Just that it seems to pop into forward pretty early.)
I don't think this would have anything to do with the reverse problem and I would wager that the cable is just getting stretched or worn and it won't push the cam properly.
 

FillupD

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 5, 2007
Messages
261
Re: Reverse grind 1976 55 Hp

I've been reading old posts and have seen one of my faults as in slowly putting into reverse. I'll try to stab into reverse and see what that may do. I'm afraid the damage may be done though. I drained my gear lube and there is no meatl shavings in it like i stripped a gear at least.
 

jimdd810

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 18, 2006
Messages
532
Re: Reverse grind 1976 55 Hp

you need to get that shift rod adjusted to its proper height or it will never shift right.
 

FillupD

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jul 5, 2007
Messages
261
Re: Reverse grind 1976 55 Hp

Yeah I have to agree there. I've never had to measure or mess around with one before. I guess I'll learn something new. I've seen the correct measurement somewhere in one of my manuals,(I think).
I thought maybe it was something in the case that was doing it, but you are right, I'm going to have to learn how to measure it sooner or later anyway. Thanks
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Reverse grind 1976 55 Hp

You may be able to adjust that out at the shift cable, sounds like it is pretty close if it grinds.

Any time I have had to move mine I count turns out and go that many back in, al least it gets you really close.
 

FillupD

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 5, 2007
Messages
261
Re: Reverse grind 1976 55 Hp

Got it measured and shifts great. Thanks for your suggestions. I found the measurements on an old post here by tashadaddy.
 
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