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58 Evinrude 5.5 no neutral:

T

Two Rivers

Member
Hello all.
Recently decided to replace impeller on my 58 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman.
When I took it apart I found that water got into the lower unit oil so I replaced the seals. Problem is when I put it back together I have forward and reverse but no neutral. All the gears, clutch dog and saddle look good.
Neutral works until I hook up the shift rod. Any tips to setting up the shift rod with that metal steel spring thing that it rides against?

Why do you have to type so slow on this forum?
Thanks
rob
 
The typing slow question pertains to your end. Personally I'm having no problem typing at a normal fast clip. Bottom line is that the forum is okay... something on your end.

The shift rod on a 1958 5.5hp model is all one piece, connecting to the cradle lever in the gear-case with a clevis pin and then under the power-head to the shift lever with two small nuts. There is no way that can get out of adjustment....... What is the model number of that engine?

It should be either 5516 or 5517 depending on the length of the engine.

If you indeed have the 1958 model, I'd suggest that you dismantle that lower unit and double check your work as something must be out of alignment.
 
Thanks Joe.
Model is 5516.
I think I'm having trouble with the initial positioning of the shift rod.
There is a metal spring clip with three humps that seem to ride in the notches of the shift rod?
Does it matter what position the shift rod is in before putting the lower cap on?
Does it matter what position the clutch dog and saddle are in relation to the shift rod and spring clip?
I'm trying to start out in neutral (center notch) with clutch dog between gears.
Seems like neutral is working until I put the lower cap on and insert the clevis pin from outside.
Seems like I have the shift rod in the wrong initial position?

Thanks again.
 
Last edited:
As long as the rod is riding on the detent spring, there is no way you can goof it up. Furthermore, it is impossible for the clutch dog to go from forward to reverse and back without going through neutral. Something just doesn't make sense here.
 
fdrgator said:
As long as the rod is riding on the detent spring, there is no way you can goof it up. Furthermore, it is impossible for the clutch dog to go from forward to reverse and back without going through neutral. Something just doesn't make sense here.
Click to expand...

Seems like the cradle lever is out of whack.
When I set the shift rod on the detent spring in the reverse position and place the bottom cap back on the hole for the clevis pin doesn't align with the housing?
Maybe I bent something?
Thanks
 
Put it in forward.----------pull rod all the way up to engage the last notch.---Assemble with 2 screws and pivot pin.-------Test shifting.----------Then take apart again for final assembly and sealing.
 
racerone said:
Put it in forward.----------pull rod all the way up to engage the last notch.---Assemble with 2 screws and pivot pin.-------Test shifting.----------Then take apart again for final assembly and sealing.
Click to expand...

Seems to be working.
I'll clean it up again, re-assemble, test again, then seal and test.
Will follow up post to share results
Thanks again.
rob
 
Put everything back together, sealed up with 847 hooked it up to the mid section and neutral is not where it's supposed to be on the shift lever.
If I move the shift lever a tad bit toward reverse I can find neutral.
I'm thinking my detent lever is out of whack, not synching up with the shift rod somehow?
Is there an adjustment I can make to the shift lever? Or is the shift lever and the detent lever and the shift rod all synched?
I'm out of ideas for now.
Even the simple things can get tough
(Heard it in a song)
Thanks again.
rob
 
The only detent on a 5.5 is that spring riding in the notches in the shift rod. There are no detents, adjustments, or "correct" position on the shifter handle. It's all done in the lower unit.
 
fdrgator said:
The only detent on a 5.5 is that spring riding in the notches in the shift rod. There are no detents, adjustments, or "correct" position on the shifter handle. It's all done in the lower unit.
Click to expand...

Then the spring riding in the notches must be messed up or the shift rod got bent? Can't think of anything else?
thanks
rob
 
So here's where things stand for now. I put everything back together and set the shift rod in the forward position. Put the powerhead back on and filled lower unit with new oil.
Motor started but neutral was (is) still off. I have to move the shift lever slightly forward to engage neutral. (Earlier I said I had to move the shift lever slightly towards reverse but I was mistaken, it's towards forward).
If I leave the shift lever in the normal neutral position, there is a chatter of the clutch dog not fully disengaging from the gears. I'm guessing reverse?
It's only off a small amount, maybe 1/8 inch or less but the motor can't operate like this.
I'm thinking maybe I straightened the bend in the shift rod when I pulled it out of the bushing?
Does that seem possible?
thanks again
rob
 
Last edited:
Since that shift rod is a set length and only attaches to the lower unit one way, and bolts up to a set linkage via two lock nuts at the top.... this entire post comes across to me as being impossible UNLESS someone has installed a wrong part OR has assembled the gearcase incorrectly.

Too bad you don't live next door as I'd really like to see that engine.
 
joereeves said:
Since that shift rod is a set length and only attaches to the lower unit one way, and bolts up to a set linkage via two lock nuts at the top.... this entire post comes across to me as being impossible UNLESS someone has installed a wrong part OR has assembled the gearcase incorrectly.

Too bad you don't live next door as I'd really like to see that engine.
Click to expand...

Thanks Joe for your response.
It worked before I took it apart. Is it possible I straightened the bend in the shift rod enough to throw it off?
Forward and reverse work, neutral is just off a little?
Next time I take it apart I'll take some pictures.
rob
 
I'm more inclined to think that you have the forward gear bearing or the propshaft bearing/seal assembly out of alignment which would cause the propshaft, shifter dog, gears, etc, to be every so slightly where they don't belong.
 
joereeves said:
I'm more inclined to think that you have the forward gear bearing or the propshaft bearing/seal assembly out of alignment which would cause the propshaft, shifter dog, gears, etc, to be every so slightly where they don't belong.
Click to expand...

I'll take special note of that upon dis and re assembly.
thanks
rob
 
I think I figured it out!
I was over tightening the nut that goes onto the top of the shift rod.
When I did this I watched as the shift lever would slightly move from forward toward neutral.
I backed it off leaving the shift lever in it's natural forward position then installed the other nut locking the first nut in place.
Now I have neutral and the little blue motor lives.
I think?
Going to put things back together and test.
One more question: For now.
Does the gasket between the powerhead and the mid section go on dry or require sealant?
Thanks again

rob
 
No! The first nut is tight, drawing the shoulder of that rod up under and against the linkage. The second nut keeps it there. However, you may have a damaged shift rod that won't seat properly.

Use sealant on the gasket.
 
joereeves said:
No! The first nut is tight, drawing the shoulder of that rod up under and against the linkage. The second nut keeps it there. However, you may have a damaged shift rod that won't seat properly.

Use sealant on the gasket.
Click to expand...

Joe, I don't doubt you for a minute.
The way I did it is the only way I can maintain neutral with the shift lever in it's neutral position.
Maybe I did bend the shift rod slightly when I removed it to replace the seal?
Anyways, going to put the power head back on, seal it up, put some oil in and see what happens.
thanks again
rob
 
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