Shift intermitting problems

[PISTONESAL]

Hello,

I have a 1978 75HP johnson outboard that hase problems putting it in forward gear. The reverse works fine but the forward sometimes shifts and sometimes it doesn't. It is good and sometimes its not.. The cables look fine. If I play with it, it eventually will shift. Any ideas? The cables seem fine. I also notice, it does make a hard clunking noise when shifting out of nuetral either to reverse or forward. I am a new boat owner and I don't know if that is normal or not. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Sal

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Shift intermitting problems

well if your idle is set high, it will clunk going into gear. if the cables are original they are due to be replaced. the stretch. also they may need to be adjusted. remove the shift cable at the motor, and try shifting manually. also get you idle speed down to 650-750 IN GEAR IN THE WATER.

 

[PISTONESAL]

Re: Shift intermitting problems

Thanks for the reply. I did try shifting forward manually. It vibrates hard and I have to pull hard in order to make the shift and it makes a loud clunk noise when it does go in gear. Also, what do you mean 650-750 in the water? Sorry am new to this so I don't understand.


Thanks
Sal

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Shift intermitting problems

if you motor is idling too fast it makes it that much harder to go into gear. the motor needs to idle at 650-750 rpms, in the water(lake,river) in gear. if it idles faster than that it causes extreme extra wear and hard shifting, of the lower unit gears. when in neutral the motor will idle a little faster. when on muffs the motor is going to idle faster because there is not any backpressure on the exhaust.