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Shift rod problems after 20"conversion - Help!

jaymalyon

New member
I have recently completed as 20" drive shaft conversion on my 1989 Evinrude 200. I broke the motor all the way down and sandblasted and reassembled everything. I am having lots of trouble aligning the shift rod into the shift mechanism on the powerhead. The shift rod is pressed hard up against the engine block and seems to be binding somewhere. It is set to the correct height per the service manual. I dropped the lower unit again and removed the shift to install it just on its own and still had the same issue, with and without it being attached to the lower unit. Checked the steering arm that it runs up through for obstruction and it's clear. The shifter won't budge when its all hooked up, even with only the shift rod attached. Im wondering if the power head or midsection could be out of line somehow? The power head bolted up perfect to the new adapter plate and midsection and all 3 alignment pins were dead on. What's weird is the old 25" shift rod now will not run up through the holes all. Any ideas? Really stuck here.

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The ends of the shift rods need to be the same.

Ok, after a little research it does appear I was sold the wrong shift rod. Evinrude #329864 is what is listed for my engine and a google image search shows that part number to also have an "S" shaped end.

Onto the lower engine mounts. It looks like there are 2 separate part numbers for my year motor. 1 is listed for a 185 /225 and one for a 200. I know my motor is a 200 but I am unsure of the HP of the used midsection I purchased.

Do you guys think the difference in motor mounts is enough to throw off the alignment issue I'm having? They look pretty similar in the pics but I am sure there are slight differences.
 
Ok, after a little research it does appear I was sold the wrong shift rod. Evinrude #329864 is what is listed for my engine and a google image search shows that part number to also have an "S" shaped end.
Okay, this is where things seem a little strange. I'm not working on experience here, just looking at parts diagrams.

1989 200HP gear case parts diagram:
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...Evinrude&section=Gearcase+-+Standard+Rotation

1985 120HP gear case parts diagram:
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...0TLCOS&manufacturer=Evinrude&section=Gearcase

1989-200.jpg

1985-120.jpg

Oddly enough, the shift rod in both diagrams is #36 with part number 0329864 listed for a 20" gear case. Look closely at the V4 gear case exploded view and you'll see the 'S' in the top end of the rod but the V6 engine has the single bend at the end. Now here's where it gets really goofy.....if you scroll down and click on the link for #36 on both diagrams it changes to the single bend rod. :confused:
 
A little more research shows a 20" midsection only took Evinrude #0434629 lower mounts so I can be sure the used 20" midsection has these mounts. So now I am hoping upon inspection I find them to failing and causing the misalignment.

I've got the correct shift rod on the way.
 
Okay, this is where things seem a little strange. I'm not working on experience here, just looking at parts diagrams.

1989 200HP gear case parts diagram:
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...Evinrude&section=Gearcase+-+Standard+Rotation

1985 120HP gear case parts diagram:
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...0TLCOS&manufacturer=Evinrude&section=Gearcase

View attachment 18995

View attachment 18996

Oddly enough, the shift rod in both diagrams is #36 with part number 0329864 listed for a 20" gear case. Look closely at the V4 gear case exploded view and you'll see the 'S' in the top end of the rod but the V6 engine has the single bend at the end. Now here's where it gets really goofy.....if you scroll down and click on the link for #36 on both diagrams it changes to the single bend rod. :confused:

I noticed that too, but if you google image search the 20" shift rod the diagram calls for 329864, it does seem to have the S bend in it. I'm stumped, but going with what this site recommends!
 
Removed the lower mount covers and they look ok to me. Pried on them from all angles and there was no excessive movement. I don't think they are the culprit.
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I also loosened the bolts going through the steering yoke to the upper mount one turn and this allowed me enough clearance to slide my old 25" shift shaft through on its own. I was able to connect everything together and move the linkage smoothly with only the shift rod connected, no lower unit. My question now is, is it possible that I overtightened the upper mount bolts bringing the midsection slightly too far forward causing the 2 holes the shift rod passes through to be out if alignment? Are there torque settings for the motor mounts?

I feel like I'm getting close to having this solved, just waiting on the correct shift rod.
 
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