shifting problem

[CAMPBELLRUS]

Hi all,

I just bought this rig and don't know much about it. 1985 Johnson 150 model J150STLCO. Took it out Saturday for the first time and it started easy and ran great. I think the idle may be a little fast but forgot to look at the RPM and compare it to the Selco or Clymer manuals I have.

The issue I have is that after running about 5 minutes, it would not shift into reverse. It made a loud ratcheting sound at the shifter box and vibrated the shift handle. I didn't have any problem when I backed it off the trailer. I took it home and looking the Selco manual and it fit the description of a worn shift piece in the control box (the picture in the manual was so bad I couldn't tell what a good one looked like). I took the control box apart but couldn't tell if the shift piece was worn out or not.

Where should I start? Readjust the cables to see if they are worn (stretched), new cables, new shift piece it the control box? I pray its not a lower unit issue $$$.

Thank you for all your advice

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: shifting problem

you start by disconnecting the shift cable and the motor, start the motor and shift it by hand. see if it works correctly. if it does then you go to cables and control. you put control in neutral, now you adjust the trunion nut on the cable so you can attach the cable with out moving the motor linkage.

you always adjust cable to motor, not motor to cable. shift or throttle cables.

 

[ezeke]

Re: shifting problem

First, you should get your idle RPM set correctly; in forward gear, on the water it should be close to 650 RPM. Then you should be able to snap the unit into either gear from neutral quickly.

Try not to shift directly from forward to reverse quickly. A 16 pound stainless prop turning 1000 RPM will not instantly reverse directions smoothly for anyone.

 

[CAMPBELLRUS]

Re: shifting problem

Thank you for the help, I will let you know what I find out.

 

[CAMPBELLRUS]

Re: shifting problem

Thanks guys,

I adjusted the shifting cable to the shift arm at the engine like you said and that seemed to help a lot. However I adjusted the idle screw out as far as I could and the motor still idles at 1000 rpm. The Selco book was not much help after that.

Any advise on how to lower the idle speed?

Thank you all,

Todd

 

[ezeke]

Re: shifting problem

Were you idling in forward gear with the boat in the water?

 

[CAMPBELLRUS]

Re: shifting problem

No, It was hooked up to an engine muff with a water hose (fake lake) at home. Do I need the idle to be at 600-700rpm in neutral or in forward? With the fake lake there is no resistance at the prop. Would this result a significantly different idle speed?

Thanks,

Todd

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: shifting problem

running on muffs does effect the idle speed. get it as close as you can on muffs, then fine tune in the water. there is no back pressure on the exhaust, on muffs. in the water you want 600-750 +-.