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48 SPL prop goes backward???

P

PhilSch

Regular Contributor
Just bought this boat and was turning the flywheel clockwise by hand with it in gear and noticed the prop was turning backwards/counterclockwise! How can this be? The motor is a 1994, quite clean with good compression and there is no evidence it has ever been apart.
 
Not possible , unless it was in reverse.----Model of the motor ?----Pictures of the lower unit ?----
 
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Is the serial on the block the same as the number on the swivel bracket ?-----Post pictures of the linkages on the motor.-----Perhaps the powerhead is an 1988 or older one.----Easy to figure out if you brought it over.
 
When you say prop is counterclockwise, do you mean looking from the back? Then if your in forward, that would be wrong. Should turn clockwise from the rear when in forward gear and rotating flywheel clockwise looking from above.
 
Yes Racer, transom and powerhead serial numbers match. It's a 1994 Johnson 48 SPL J48ESLERD. I believer shift linkages are installed correctly. When I push the throttle lever on the control box forward the shift lever at the motor goes forward also. In this position if I turn the flywheel clockwise the prop spins counterclockwise when viewed from the rear which anyone that looks at how a prop is designed would know that will not propel the boat forward. Neutral position the prop is free. Pull the throttle lever rearwards and then it goes into forward gear, that is the prop spins clockwise when the flywheel is turned clockwise. Pics of lower unit and linkage attached. First photo of linkage is when throttle lever on control box is pushed forward, second pic is neutral position and last of the three linkage pictures is when the control box lever is pulled backwards.
 

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  • Lower Unit Port Side.jpg
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  • Linkage forward.jpg
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  • Linkage Neutral.jpg
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  • Linkage Reverse.jpg
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Shift linkages are wrong.---Up to 1988 they shifted to forward with an UP motion of the shift rod.----In 1989 and newer they shifted to reverse with an UP motion.----So I say someone has mixed up some parts.----This is so easy to figure out.----Bring it over I fix for you.
 
racerone said:
Shift linkages are wrong.---Up to 1988 they shifted to forward with an UP motion of the shift rod.----In 1989 and newer they shifted to reverse with an UP motion.----So I say someone has mixed up some parts.----This is so easy to figure out.----Bring it over I fix for you.
Click to expand...

Shift rod... are you talking about the rod that goes down to the gearcase?

Possibly the previous owner put a pre 89 lower unit on?

Or maybe the wrong control box? The box says OMC on the side and has tilt/trim switches which I would think it did not come with.
 
A pre 89 lower unit can NOT BE BOLTED on to a 94 model !!-----And all control boxes operate ( move cables ) the same way too.----So I say the linkages are wrong on this motor.----So simple it is.
 
Racer,

You are correct, as always! With your guidance I have discovered a home made shift lever. Look closely at the photos and you can see the lever is unpainted aluminum. The problem is where the hole is drilled in for the shift shaft link attachment. Whoever made this lever put the hole below the pivot point of the lever but the hole needs to be above the pivot point. I need a new shift lever and possibly new shift lever link. THANK YOU RACER!! I am not sure I would have figured this out on my own.
 
Racer is pretty darn good. Him and Joe Reeves have been my top mentors here on the Forum. Occasionally Racer is wrong, however. I remember that one time he thought he was wrong, but he wasn't.
Seriously, try Tim's Outboard in Hackensack MN for the used parts you need, if you can't get new here, or they are too costly......That number is 218 682 2331. Mike, Dan, or Teresa.
 
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Tim,

You've been pretty darned helpful too Tim! Thanks for that number for Tim's. Do they have used boat parts as well as motor parts? Here in the Sac area there are no more marine salvage yards and I need a glove box, BTW, your tip on using muriatic acid to rejuvenate the inside of metal fuel tanks worked really well. Thanks!
 
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