Question about shift shaft and exhaust

[Jason Davis]

Hello,

If the shift shaft height is off a turn or 2 is it ok to adjust it out with the shifting cable adjuster? I ask because I just put the powerhead back on my boat and it would go into reverse and neutral fine, but not forward. So I assume the shift shaft must have turned a time or two while I had the powerhead off. I adjusted the shift cable a bit and now it goes into forward/reverse/neutral fine. Is this OK?

Also, while running with the ear muffs on, I notice that the water that comes out of the motor has a very slight oil sheen to it. Is this common? Could It mean Im running rich? The motor seems to run fine at all speeds otherwise.

1988 88hp Evinrude Outboard

Thanks!
Jason

 

[racerone]

Is the bellcrank vertical or nearly so in nuetral ??

 

[Jason Davis]

I'm not sure what part is the bellcrank. Here are a few pictures, hope one of them shows you. Thanks!

 

[racerone]

It is leaning forward.--------My simple advice is to correct this situation by removing the lower unit. Likely the waterpump impeller needs replacing anyway.---------Then set shiftrod height to the correct dimension and re-assemle.-----------Gears are expensive if you do not act on this.

 

[Jason Davis]

Thanks for the information. Could you tell me which part is the bellcrank, and why it leaning forward is a bad thing. Sorry, I'm very new to boats. Thanks again.

 

[Jason Davis]

I did look at the engine diagrams on this site, just could not find a part called the bellcrank

 

[racerone]

They used to refer to it as a bellcrank.--------They now refer to it as a " shift lever"-----------Not to be confused with the shift lever on the control box.

 

[Jason Davis]

Thanks Racerone.

Does anyone have an OMC Shift Rod Height Guage P/N 389997 they would like to sell? I see new ones for ~$220, but thats a little out of my budget for now.

 

[racerone]

Why not measure it with a standard tape measure ???

 

[Jason Davis]

I would be open to trying that. The spec in my manual says 21 and 27/32 inches. Thats just so exact hah. I saw a video on youtube I was thinking of trying: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBNZ_gMh5RQ.

Just that 1/32 of tolerance doesn't leave a lot of room for error.

 

[racerone]

I use tape measure all the time ---no problem.

 

[Jason Davis]

So I should measure from the surface of the gearcase to the middle of the hole on the shift shaft, with the shift shaft offset facing forward?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[racerone]

I have some of these gauges !-------If you are really concerned you could make one with a $3.00 piece of steel bar stock and a nail.

 

[Jason Davis]

Ok, I think Ill give it a go. One last question if you don't mind. Are there any tips or tricks to keeping the shift shaft exactly in place when you are re-installing the lower unit?

 

[racerone]

Hold it with a vicegrip as you install the unit.---------It can be turned with a pair of pliers when the lower unit is in place.

 

[Jason Davis]

Ok, thanks for all the help!