shift shaft

[stlrd85]

hey ya'll!<br /><br />i recently bought a used lower unit (see this thread: http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=28;t=036164 ) and now i was hoping someone could share with me the secret to getting the shift shaft connected in the powerhead. how DO you get in there to line it up?????<br /><br />you can email me at gonefishing2dee AT hotmail DOT com if you think you can help!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: shift shaft

First! with the gearcase in neutral, and shift rod forward, the dimention from surface of gearcase to center of hole in shift rod is 21 27/32". You need a OEM manual to do this job correctly, as it would take to long to discribe here.

 

[KYHunter]

Re: shift shaft

I have a '78-115 Johnson,It should be like mine . I have had to reach in with my xtra long needle nose pliers and turn the flat of the shift shaft to get it facing right. <br /> Then to screw in alignment/threaded pin, I used a 1/4 inch drive with a couple extensions. I put a little grease in the socket and then stuck the bolt/pin in the socket . It was a piece of cake . I think I may have used a swivel on the extension not sure. You'll know if you need it or not. I've done it with a 3/8 but it was easier with the 1/4 drive.<br /> Good= Luck,<br /> KYHunter<br /> Sorry ,I thought the only trouble you were having was getting the screw/ pin connected. <br /> What R. Johnson said, It sure will save you alot of time. When I know I'm going to have to do some work on my engine , I read the procedure several times before I start to work .I assume most people have a manual, my bad.<br /> I ordered the manual for my motor before the boat was even delivered, just made sense.<br />

 

[stlrd85]

Re: shift shaft

so am i correct to assume that i'm probably going to have to take this in and have it done?

 

[stlrd85]

Re: shift shaft

bump

 

[stlrd85]

Re: shift shaft

no pointers on how to make this job easier? all i need to do is get the top of the shift shaft lined up with the bracket that connects to the cables, but there is just NO room to manuever in there!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: shift shaft

What is it that wont line up? RJ gave you the dimension with the offset facing forward. <br /><br />What wont work?

 

[MCM]

Re: shift shaft

Hi, I found that disconnecting the cam roller and moving it out of the way provided a little more access, also remove the starter motor. also make sure you don't have the shift rod turned 180 deg.<br />backwards. The 1st one I reinstalled took 2 days and alota cussin the 2nd one went smoother.<br /><br />Mike

 

[stlrd85]

Re: shift shaft

i didn't need any dimensions, but i appreciate that. what i needed was pointers on how to get in that tight space--there's just no room!<br /><br />the starter is on the opposite side of the shift cam on mine. does removing it really help?

 

[funpilot]

Re: shift shaft

stlrd85,<br /><br />Here is a set of notes I wrote to myself when I do my 1990 90hp shift rod. If yours is similar, they might help you:<br /><br />Shift rod disconnection to lower Gear case.<br /><br />The book says the shifting mechanism needs to be in reverse. That’s because the shift rod tends to go into reverse when shoving the gear case onto the exhaust case. But, you can’t actually shove the shift rod pin (by shoving the gear shift lever on the engine from starboard to port) when the gear shift is in reverse because the engine block prevents the shift lever from moving far enough.<br /><br />Remove the prop.<br /><br />Put the engine in reverse, and turn the output shaft to engage reverse. Remove the clevis. Put the engine into forward and push the lever over from starboard to port to disengage the shift rod.<br /><br />Tilt the engine and with the trim tab position marked, remove the bolt in the center of the tab, the larger bolt forward of the tab, and the bolt under the tab. The smaller bolt forward of the tab can stay, it holds the anodes in place.<br /><br />Remove the four bolts on either side of the gear case, the gear case will drop.<br /><br />To reinstall, make sure the gear shift rod is pointed forward and is ‘down’. You can shift the gear case on the bench by moving the rod. Down is reverse, middle is neutral, up is forward.<br /><br />Once the case is up, put on two bolts to hold it in place, and with a screw driver, check the alignment of the shift rod.<br /><br />Move the shift lever on the engine from port to starboard, and then move the gear change single lever power control and assure that the engine is going into forward, reverse and neutral. With the engine in forward, move the bushing into place, and slide the two bellvue springs to port. The clevis pin is easily replaced by spreading it with a screwdriver has you slide it home.<br /><br />good luck,<br />fp

 

[MCM]

Re: shift shaft

Hi, good instructions funpilot, mine is on the oposite side to & yes it does help, the idea is to gain as much access as possible, as I recall I ende up attacking mine form both sides of the motor before I got it back in. The screwdriver trick funpilot mentined is very helpfull too.<br /><br />Best of luck<br />Mike

 

[MCM]

Re: shift shaft

Hi, have you gotten the l/u bolted back up to the midsection yet?<br /><br />Mike

 

[Marc J.]

Re: shift shaft

Hey stlrd85, send me a email at marc930@aol.com.

 

[stlrd85]

Re: shift shaft

finally got it all done and what a learning experience it was! thank you to all of you for your help.<br /><br />btw, some of the confusion i had was due to taking it apart about a month ago and forgetting some of what was done. i forgot about that little "spring action" pin that goes through the hole in the shift shaft and was actually trying to put the hair pin cotter through there. once i figured out what that little piece of round metal was that i kept seeing then it was a mystery as to where that hair pin cotter went. as accidental sweep with the flashlight revealed that. man is it humbling trying to work on something for the first time. if it ever happens again i'll be a pro though!<br /><br />i guess the real test will come when the boat goes in the water. i started it and shifted n to f to n to r back to n back to f and the prop turned accordingly.<br /><br />hallelujah!!!