Dropped the lower unit to replace my water pump. Put everything together, the shifter is binding. The boat is a dual station with tower set up with Morse controls. I replaced the gear change cable from the lower control to the motor. Each part of the system works as expected. With the gear cable detached from the motor, the shifter handle has full range of motion, easy operation and works in concert with the upper control. With the lower unit off and everything hooked up, the shifter handle works with the same full range. It hits the detent at neutral and goes into forward and reverse with no issue. The shifter rod turns as expected, no binding. I did notice the e-ring on the underside of the engine mount plate was loose. I removed it and replaced with new part. The washer is still in place between the clip and the mount base. The shifter rod has some in and out play.
The lower unit also changes between forward/neutral/reverse easily when in the stand. The prop locks, no grinding. The lower unit oil looked fine when changed and the start of all this.
I installed the lower unit and found the shifter was locking up. When I loosen up the bolts and let it drop 1/16-1/18", it starts shifting properly. Properly tightened up, it is not shifting.
Any thoughts on what could be happening? I have replaced the shortblock on the motor myself, so I have stripped it down. I set up the shifter gears under the block and they functioned fine last season. The boat sat for a while. I do all my own service and have the factory service manual. It really dos not go into a lot of detail on the top side of the shifter rod other than setting up the gears.
The lower unit also changes between forward/neutral/reverse easily when in the stand. The prop locks, no grinding. The lower unit oil looked fine when changed and the start of all this.
I installed the lower unit and found the shifter was locking up. When I loosen up the bolts and let it drop 1/16-1/18", it starts shifting properly. Properly tightened up, it is not shifting.
Any thoughts on what could be happening? I have replaced the shortblock on the motor myself, so I have stripped it down. I set up the shifter gears under the block and they functioned fine last season. The boat sat for a while. I do all my own service and have the factory service manual. It really dos not go into a lot of detail on the top side of the shifter rod other than setting up the gears.