Logo
FULL SITE MENU

Evinrude 66 Fastwin 18 horse lower unit problem

J

jmredb

New member
I have a fastwin 18 horse. The lower unit will engage in reverse fine but forward will just turn with no real power transference. I removed the unit, looked at the gears and replaced the trani shift pin in its cradle. At this point the prop would lock up in forward and reverse but would still not engage in forward. Since I am new to working on outboard motors I am lost. It seems like everything "should" be working but is not.

I am assuming that since reverse is working the shaft to the engine is okay and it must be in the lower unit or engage line.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
You say "At this point the prop would lock up in forward and reverse but would still not engage in forward."

That statement is confusing to me. With the lower unit removed from the engine, if you can shift the unit via the shift rod, into forward, reverse, and neutral, back and forth several times without enountering problems, then the problem would need to be with the shift linkage setup of the engine.

Does the lower unit shift normally when OFF the engine?

If it does, then either there is excessive play in the upper shift rod somewhere... grab it with a pair of long nose pliers to see if you can move it without moving the shift handle, OR the adjustment at the actual shift handle is misadjusted, OR the shift cable (if present) is not centered.

Let us know what you find with as much detail as possible.
 
I need to be more clear here.

I did not remove the entire lower unit only what I would guess to be the Gear housing under the rear unit. I, unfortunately, am in CO and the engine is in MO.

Guess this was poor timing on my part

I appreciate the ideas and will, when back home, attempt the test that you have recommended.

Thanks
 
Why, there's your problem. You're in Colorado but your engine's in Missouri.... your shift rod's not long enough.;)

Seriously... get back to us when you can.

EDIT a few minutes later: If you had the engine upside down when putting the shift lever prongs into the cradle, that assembly should be fine.... However, if the lower unit was simply tilted somewhat, those lever prongs may have slipped out of place. The proper procedure, when simply tilted, would be to have those prongs inserted, then put the engine into forward gear to keep them in place when installing the skeg.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top