Motor Mechanic Needed

[Gerald]

Reconnecting the gear linkage can be a little tricky if you don't know exactly how it was positioned before it was taken apart.

Try this method.

Reconnect the linkage, then put engine shift lever in netural. Try turning the propeller using your hand. If it turns....great, you have it connected fairly close to correct.

If the propeller does not turn, try moving the shift lever a little like you are putting it in gear to go foward. Keep moving the shift lever until the propeller shaft gets to the netural position. You may have to move the shift lever to the reverse directions to find where the netural position is. Remember at what angle the shift lever is at to find the netural. Also note what direction [up or down] the shift linkage moved.

Knowing how far the shift lever had to be moved [and what direction] will give you an idea of how much you need to adjust the linkage connection.

Now....make an adjustment to the linkage and repeat the proccedure again.

Doing this several times will get the shift linkage and the shift lever lined up so the propeller will turn freely while the shift lever is in netural position.

After you get the shift linkage adjusted fairly close so that the propeller turns in the netural, try moving the shift lever just a little towards the forward and try turning the propeller to see if it feels like the gear is engaging properly. Try this again moving the lever toward the reverse.

If you feel like the linkage is connected fairly close to the proper position, it is time to test the shift lever with the engine running using "ear muffs" for water. But be careful to not "GRIND" the gears while testing. Chances are you will have to make one or two more adjustment after running the engine.

The engine gears are fairly expensive....so spend the time to get it adjusted correctly.