1958 35hp super seahorse

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  • April 19, 2025 at 11:35 am #295599
    Craig Allen
    Participant

      US Member

      My motor is slipping out of forward gear. I have disconnected the gear shift cable and held the shift lever in the forward position while running                                                                                                                                                         and I have nothing. I take the motor out of the water and check the gears and they work fine  by hand. It seems it only slips out under a load. I have recently changed my impeller (ie disconnected my shift rod linkage)but there is only one way to put it back together with the screws on the connector going through the slots in the shift rods. I have just pulled the lower end and  everything appears to be ok, although I don’t understand the function of the retaining ring (part 37). before I opened the lower end I shifted the gears by hand using the shift rod and it shifted very easily, to me it was too easy. I’m used to a little resistance shifting gears. Some of the older models have a piece of medal in. the lower end that causes the shift rod to stick on various positions, but this motor does not have that feature. Is there any adjustment on the shift rod other than the adjustment on the cable? Can you guys give me some answers. Thanks

      April 20, 2025 at 11:14 am #295657
      fleetwin
      Participant

        US Member

        OK, well first, I am suspect of the shift rod linkage if you pulled the gearcase, then the issue began.  Did the engine shift/stay in gear OK before?  If so, there is something wrong.  What looks like a simple shift rod connection is actually the source of alot of problems.  It is easy to have loose connections and stripped threads resulting in lost shift rod motion/partial clutch dog engagement.   Also, there is a fine shift rod adjustment up top on the shift handle as well.

        I’m not quite sure what you are describing, but it sounds like you have already pulled the gearcase apart unfortunately.  Shifting the clutch dog smoothly/easily/no resistance is perfectly “normal” for many engines that did not have clutch dog ball detents..

        April 23, 2025 at 7:39 pm #295803
        Craig Allen
        Participant

          US Member

          Fleetwin, thanks for responding. You were exactly right. As I was checking the linkage for what seemed like a hundred times, I noticed that someone  before me had beveled out a notch higher up on the upper shift rod than the original bevel. I didn’t notice it before since it was only on one side of the shift rod. Evidently someone had a problem before and made the shift rod shorter ie. made the bevel higher on the rod. I installed the bolt in the connector at the higher bevel and it works fine. To bad I didn’t find the problem until I had already taken the gearcase apart. I always say to check the simplest things first, but I didn’t take my own advise. thanks again.

          April 24, 2025 at 9:38 am #295806
          fleetwin
          Participant

            US Member

            Sorry that you went through all that trouble….  This is an important reminder for all of us though.   Oftentimes, these altered shift rods are the result of someone converting a long shaft engine into a short shaft.  Instead of replacing the upper shift rod, they simply cut it down and attempt to add the groove for the connector screw.

            I’m glad you discovered the issue before more damage to the clutch dog/gear lugs occurred though.

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