When in fwd gear won't go into neutral

[Guntecw]

Looking at buying this 1990 9.9 Johnson. I watched video of the person put it in fwd easy. But when he tries to put in neutral. He has to almost put it into reverse. To get into neutral.

 

[oldboat1]

Upper and lower shift rods are held together with a brass connector. The rods have to be fully inserted in the connector for the shift to work properly. Common problem.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Both shift rods have a groove machined in them. As oldboat1 states in not so many words... the grooves must absolutely align with the bolt holes of that brass connector.... otherwise neutral is ----> over there somewhere!

 

[Guntecw]

So how do u check it? And would I have to pull lower unit off?

 

[racerone]

Correct-----The connecter is at the joint.-----Check lower unit oil and compression before handing over too much cash.

 

[Guntecw]

Ok thank you I did find out that he or whoever he bought it from replaced the water pump. He said he bought it for a kicker and he never had time to mount it.

 

[racerone]

Buyer beware.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Ok thank you I did find out that he or whoever he bought it from replaced the water pump. He said he bought it for a kicker and he never had time to mount it.

Unhuh... There's always a story. His explanation raises a red flag. Think... WHY would he buy a engine if he didn't have immediate plans for it? Consider the warning of "racerone".

Curious... What's his asking price... Is he local or distant?

 

[Guntecw]

He is about 45mins from me 550. And I will go by your warning. Why I came here to ask u guys. Thank you for your help.he sent me a video of him running it in a trash can. And sounded fine. Went into reverse fine. U can see him trying to get it out of fwd back to neutral. And almost going into reverse.

 

[kbait]

A bent arm on shift fork can make it shift whacky. If shift rod coupler is correct, that’d be the next step.. I fixed two this summer. One needed replacement shift fork, one just needed bending back. I think this issue occurs when someone tries to shift the motor (forcibly) when not running..not knowing you may have to turn the prop or powerhead slightly to align shift dog..

 

[Guntecw]

Ok I did buy it. But got it for 350 after telling about maybe dropping lu. Ok when u shift to fwd it seems like there is two fwd. Like first spot the prop starts to move very slowly. And u give throttle it turns faster. And last spot. On fwd without giving throttle it fast to move really fast. And this is on mffs too. Ok so when I put it neutral u are almost it the reverse spot. And when u put into reverse it is like bam u are there . He did change water pump and said he had problem with getting shift rod back into place .

 

[racerone]

There is only one forward gear !-----Time to remove the lower unit.-----The shift rod must be put into the brass connecter and the notch MUST line up with the hole BEFORE the bolt is put in.

 

[oldboat1]

If that shift rod connection is all that's wrong with the motor, you did well at $350 (imo). I have the '91 version, and a couple of '80s 9,9s. Good motors.

You should probably take out both bolts and refit them, as you probably don't know what one the prior owner removed to drop the lower unit.

 

[Guntecw]

Ok so I might need help with this. He showed me the bolts he took out to drop lu. And pointed out where shift rod is at. So what gear do u put in when u start to drop lu? I think I got the measurements for rod at 21" 15/16. This motor has the 5" extension to it too

 

[Guntecw]

Racerone. I fig there is only one fwd. Why thought was strange. What it was doing.

 

[Guntecw]

Ok sorry that measurement was wrong that was for a bigger motor

 

[oldboat1]

All you want to do is take the brass connector off (i.e., disconnect the upper and lower shift rods), and put it back together with the bolts through the machined notches at the end of each of the rods. Move the lever in whatever direction that allows best access to the connector (probably reverse). Open the brass connecter up slightly with a bladed screwdriver so the rods slip in easily.

 

[Guntecw]

Do u have the right height measurements? And this requirement is to take lu off right?

 

[oldboat1]

The premise here is that the upper or lower shift rod (or both) were not attached correctly with the brass connector. The connector can clamp on to the rod and allow you to think it is attached properly, but the rod length with be changed and shifting will be affected. Don't overthink this. Just disconnect and reconnect the shift rods.

[edit. Do not have to fully remove the lower unit for this. Just drop it far enough to reach the shift rod connecter.]

 

[Guntecw]

Ok that sounds easier than what I was thinking. Guess I was over thinking this now to fine a tool to make easier to take bolts out of the extension that makes motor a long shaft