Shift Rod Adjustment

[gregmsr]

New shift rod installed in 125HP Force LU.
Is there an adjustment length required, like 4 turns out? Or something like that?

 

[Jiggz]

It all depends on your setup with the upper shift link which also affects the lower shift rod (There is an adjustment for the upper shift rod below the lower carb). Usually, the lower shift rod is initially set at one~ two turns out and and adjust as necessary (with the upper shift rod adjustment) to make sure the fwd gear shifts into and never slips and also with the rev gear. Personally, I prefer the lower shift rod screwed in all the way into the shift coupler (LU) to prevent unnecessary slack and just do the adjustments required from the upper shift rod.

 

[jerryjerry05]

According to the manual:
Mount the drive.
The rod is screwed all the way into the shift link.
Then the rod is pushed all the way down(F) turn prop to settle linkage.
Then use something to put a mark on the rod where it exits through the housing.
Then pull up on the rod(R) and again turn the prop to settle the linkage.
Mark the rod again where reverse is.
Then the distance between the 2 marks is N put it in N
Mark the rod again for N.
Then spin prop and if it's not hitting or connecting with anything then you adjust the linkage under the carb to make the upper shift rod connect to the lower.

 

[gregmsr]

Upper shift rod, man it's hard to get to......the......ugh.....two nuts.
Especially the bottom one.....

 

[Frank Acampora]

IF the lower unit is a newer one around 1990-1991, with the bellows shift rod seal, then the lower shift rod needs to be 4 turns out or the engine will not go into forward gear. Any other lower unit with a regular press-in seal needs the shift rod screwed in all the way then backed out only enough to align the holes in the coupler.

Correct linkage length is set by the two nuts under the bottom carb. Don't cry about how difficult it is: You should try it on the three cylinder engines. LOL

Since down is forward, if you need more bias toward forward gear, raise both nuts. Remember: A little goes a long way. Adjust about 1/4 turn at a time. Yeah, it can be a little tedious.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Greg's got an older 125.
I know as I rebuilt his power head.

 

[gregmsr]

No Title

Update,
I have the bellows type lower (that is why I had to do this, the bellows broke allowing water into the lower, could not find another plate).
I had another gear case top plate fabricated to accept the normal type shift rod seal (Franz Marine). Apparently I have an 89 power head and a 90/91 lower unit.
I tried screwing the rod all the way down, no go. Would not go into forward. 4 turns out, still not enough. So, I split the difference.
Screwed it back down to 2 turns out, adjusted the two nuts upward, and a slight adjustment to the remote shift cable. I think I got it now???
I can run thru F-N-R and the prop does what it's supposed to do.
Yes, this was rather tedious, especially not having done it before.

Others? Be sure to disconnect the battery first, had sparks flying. Had to remove the air intake, and use a short 1/2" wrench on the rod nuts.

 

[gregmsr]

UPDATE....
All seems to be well, shifts correctly and smoothly.
Guess i'll know for sure when I drop the lower gear oil if any more leaks.
Now finding time to take it out more often...

 

[Jiggz]

Hopefully, it will work for you. However, if it doesn't there is one thread about shift rod adjustment not too long ago and the ultimate resolution was to adjust the control lever connection by moving the cable to one of the hole slots on the lever's cam.