Logo
FULL SITE MENU

1991 225 Ocean Runner shifting problems

T

tocwhiz

New member
I have scanned through most of the posts in an attempt to find tips for solving this problem. My son recently purchased a '91 225 Ocean Runner, 25" shaft, with a pretty new Morse top mount control. When he got it, the engine had to be shifted into Reverse to engage Fwd gear. After checking the prop against my '94 200 rude (which is counter rotating) we determined he had wrong prop. Put correct prop on and seemed fine. Next trip, just after getting on plane the engine reved to max and lost propulsion. It would no longer shift into FWD but would shift into REV. He was told his LU was toast. Bought a used one and it did EXACTLY the same thing. We dropped the LU, adjusted the shift rod to 26 15/16". On the trlr we can turn prop and shift into both gears with the control. But when it is running, it will not shift into either gear.

An added note, when we tried to shift it while running, the engine rpm didn't change at all as we moved out of neutral. Can a faulty shift switch be preventing it from shifting into gear? Finally, when reattaching the shift rod, I noticed the block the shift rod fits into had a lot of play in it. It was tight on the shaft but I could rotate it 3/8" quite easily. I subsequently checked the arm where the shift cable attaches and it has a lot of play too.

I am considering the prospect of putting my known good LU on his engine as a test, but don't know whether this is a good idea. This site has helped me get my 'Rude in great shape so I am hoping to find some help for him. Any assistance or ideas you all can give me would be quite helpful. Thank you in advance.
 
Re: 225 Ocean Runner shifting problems

First, research your model number and see if it is a counter rotating lower unit.
I once seen someone mount a console mounted control backwards, when he put it in forward it would go backwards. He removed the control and rotated 180 degrees and every thing worked properly.
 
Re: 225 Ocean Runner shifting problems

The model number indicates the engine is NOT counter rotating. But the prop that was on it when he bought it was for a counter rotating LU. That was the original issue, that was solved before the shift problems stated. Now as for the control being backwards....I don't know if one would be able to mount this particular control backwards, but I will definitely examine it. I also neglected to measure the throw, so I do that too.
 
Re: 225 Ocean Runner shifting problems

Get the play out of the shift linkage system.
Most likely some bushings are worn out.
 
Re: 225 Ocean Runner shifting problems

Found a different thread where Martino1 posted

"Shift rod has a metal plate near where the cable connects. The plate has a cut-out switch mounted to it. Rod that shifts the lower unit is spot welded to that plate. Disconnect the cable and move the shift arm slightly in both directions and see if the weld is broken..."

Well, we found the weld described above broken. It introduced over 3/8" of play in the linkages. Just need to get it rewelded, and reinstalled. Will update.
 
Last edited:
Re: 225 Ocean Runner shifting problems

One other thing. The model number will not tell you if your LU is counter rotating or not. All it will tell you is if the engine came from the factory as a counter rotating engine. LU's get swapped all the time.
 
Back
Top