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1988 88hp johnson

Boobie said:
It could be a bad clutch dog and forward gear.
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Thank you. I will need someone else to fix that. I did notice the cable was way out of adjustment I adjusted so it engaged all the way. I don't know if that could have caused it but I'm going to try it again and see if it helped. do you think that could cause it.
 
Is reverse erratic or O K ?

Are you comfortable with taking the motor cover off ? Then disconnecting the flexiable cable connector on the motor. While tied to the dock.

Try using the gearshift lever at the seat location. Is it smooth & easy to shift to F N R ?

At the motor with it idling. Can you shift F N R easily ?

If each is O K when seperated. Keep adjusting the linkage till you get it right or you find it impossible to do.

Post back so others can learn.
 
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reverse does not seem erratic. I did adjust linkage tonight. it was not pulling it in to the forward gear position quite all the way. I am hoping that this is the problem it shifts F n R fine. I now need to get it back in the water to try it again. I will let everyone know if it worked.
 
If it still is jumpy after a lot of tries. It could be a binding flexcable when it is connected to the engine. I had one of those. Wasted a lot of time till I had a helper slowly move the cable toward the engine connection point while I continued constant shifting. BINGO at 1' away from connecting it.
 
Was lower unit removed for waterpump work ? It is possible for someone to turn the shift rod.--------This means that shift may be out of adjustment.--Step # 1 would be to check that adjustment.-----------If you keep running it you may well need a new clutch dog , forward and pinion gear = $$$$$$$$
 
We have determined that it is the clutch dog and or forward gear. I am going to try to pull it apart this weekend and see how bad it is in there. I have found another lower end from a seized motor if I need it.
 
Should someone have had the lower unit off and turned the shift rod out of adjustment, have it put back into adjustment as follows.

Lower unit removed, lower unit in neutral, measure from the top surface of the lower unit to the center of the shift rod hole. Measurement is: 88hp thru 110hp = (L) 21-27/32" - - (XL)26-27/32" plus/minus 1/32". Have shift rod in neutral.

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However, before going to all that trouble, try centering the shift cable as follows:

(Centering Shift Cable)
(J. Reeves)

When all is as it should be, the proper method to adjust the shift cable is to disconnect the cable from the engine. Move the shift linkage on the engine to find the center of the play in neutral, and when found, leave it centered.

Now, grab the end of the shift cable sleeve, push and pull it to find the center of the play there, and center that play.

Adjust the trunion on the threaded portion of the shift cable so that the centered play of the cable lines up with the centered play of the engine's shift linkage. Install and lock the shift cable with the retaining clamp in that position. That's it.
 
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