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40 HP Yamaha not going into forward gear

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code1p36

Regular Contributor
I have a 1986 40 HP Yamaha 40LJ that is not going into forward gear properly. The shift shaft moves freely into reverse and engages correctly and the prop will not rotate either way, shift into neutral and props spins freely and then forward gear but when in forward gear the prop spins and feels and sounds like it is not quite engaging while rotating clock wise. If I spin the prop counter clock wise while in forward it engages and stops. I have adjusted the linkage multiple times clear through the whole cycle and still doesn't quite engage. I feel if the the shift shaft could pull up another 1/4 inch or so it might engage. Does the bottom of the shift shaft rotate at all or have adjustments in the gear case?

The last guy stored it on its side for a few years. Could this have anything to do with it? He said it worked correctly a few years ago.

Anything ideas what it could be? How easy is it to remove gears and inspect? Any special tools?

Thanks.
 
Normal , nothing wrong with it.-------------Most motors when in forward you can turn the prop one way and not the other way !!!
 
Ok good deal, my older 18 HP Johnson locks up and engages both ways so made me curious. I got the motor running tonight and I shifted into forward and sure enough the prop spinned like it should have and virtually stopped spinning while in neutral and works in reverse too. It just made me question it because in reverse it locked up each way but in forward felt like it was trying to engage. Looks like everything is ok then. Thanks and I am glad to hear it's normal!
 
Another quick question...This motor has the kill switch with the lanyard attached to it with the c-clip. When the c-clip is pulled it kills the motor and it seems like this would be a pain to put back in each time you killed the motor. I thought these were more of an emergency shutoff? Mine must have corroded a bit because it isn't working unless I pull the clip and then press in and twist. The ohm meter proves it is the switch itself. I need a new one regardless but was wondering if this is the only way to shutoff the motor (by pulling the c-clip)? There is not a kill switch anywhere else.
 
The design of modern outboards ( clutch dogs ) allows them to ratchet one way when in forward, and lock turning it the other way. --------Your question is asked a lot.------------Most of those switches can be pushed to stop the motor and no need to pull the clip.
 
Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it! I will find a replacement for this because the knob doesn't retract when the clip is pulled, therefore not shutting down the motor.
 
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