Shift rod swap

[metriccrescentwrench]

I have a lower unit from a '78 Johnson V6. As far as I can tell the only thing keeping it from working on newer engines (1990) is the shift rod. Is it possible to swap the shift rod with a newer one, and if so how?

thanks

 

[ezeke]

Re: Shift rod swap

The shift rods are threaded at the bottom so that if you turn one it will come out. Grease the replacement to make it easier to insert.

You must reset the length to the specifications in the last part of the gearcase section of your service manual.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Shift rod swap

No, the first three years of the V6's ('76 - '78) were different (I found this by researching the parts diagrams at brp.com). This one will not unscrew (at least from the parts diagram it doesn't look like it's supposed to, and a reasonable amount of force hasn't budged it).

By the way, what brought all this up is that I bought a lower unit on ebay which was advertised as an '89. When I got it I found out it was a left hand gearcase, as well as having the different shift rod configuration. Looks like my best bet of recovering some of my loss is to resell it (and be honest about which engine models it will work on). I'd like to be able to put the newer shift rod in so that it would be useable by a larger range of engines, but I'm doubting if that's possible.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Shift rod swap

If the 1970's unit is the hydraulic assist unit, it will not work. The shift rod is different but so is the linkage because shifting is opposite of the more recent units.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Shift rod swap

If the 1970's unit is the hydraulic assist unit, it will not work. The shift rod is different but so is the linkage because shifting is opposite of the more recent units.

Thanks, I think you may have nailed it. Also, I never realized that the linkage was reversed in those.