Can't turn gear box! Help!

[blhickson]

I tried to adjust the reversing band last weekend and I could not turn the gear box to get at the adjusting screw. The prop shaft had previously been turning while I thought it was in neutral. I adjusted the cable and then it was in neutral just fine. But there is little room for reverse and I could not turn the gear box so the screw was top sides. Ideas?

[Mo]

Try disconnecting the shifting cables and wiggle the shifter directly on the gear box...neutral can be elusive. As you wiggle the shifter you should find a spot where you can move the ring gear with your fingers.

[marthur]

Does the gearbox turn with the motor? If so, you could roll the engine over to turn the reversing gear.

[edwardc]

I tried to adjust the reversing band last weekend and I could not turn the gear box to get at the adjusting screw. The prop shaft had previously been turning while I thought it was in neutral. I adjusted the cable and then it was in neutral just fine. But there is little room for reverse and I could not turn the gear box so the screw was top sides. Ideas?

I'm a little confused. (that's not unusual! )

Are you talking about the reversing band screw or the forward adjusting collar screw? The reversing band adjustment does not move. It's always on top. It's the forward adjusting collar that has the locking screw that has to be rotated to the top.

Based on what you've said, it sounds to me like you've got your reverse adjustment too tight so that there's no neutral any more. Forward should always be adjusted first, then reverse.

If this is the case, here's what you do:

1) Loosen the reverse band until you have a neutral again and can rotate the shaft.
2) Loosen the fwd set screw, and advance the collar one notch at a time, checking for a proper "thunk" (technical term) when you engage the forward detent. This should take some force.
3) Retighten the locking screw, being ABSOLUTELY SURE to get it into one of the collar notches and NOT pressing against the collar! The ear the screw is in is very brittle and will crack off if you tighten the screw against the collar!
4) Readjust the reversing band until there is a small neutral region, but you can still immobilize the outer gearcase before your cable & control runs out of travel.

[marginal]

Silly question...?

When iteratively adjusting the forward detente and reversing band tension, can you run the engine to test reverse/neutral with the reversing gear cover off, or does it throw oil everywhere?

Thanks
Simon

[Dave Neptune]

Oh yeah

Simon, if it sits in oil and spins in oil it will sling oil! You can fabricate a cardboard or plastic baffle and contain what slings. Just don't spin to fast, idle will be fine.

Dave Neptune

[Jim Booth]

But it shouldn't really be an iterative procedure. It's forward first, then reverse. If you run out of room for your shifter in reverse, then adjust the cable.

Jim

[russg]

Adjusting collar won't turn

I removed the reversing gear plate and got the adjusting collar screw loosened...I even VERY CAREFULLY removed the screw. I could not turn the adjusting collar...wanted to adjust by one notch. I had the shifter in neutral

Any idea on how to get the adjusting collar to move without breaking anything.

Russ

[Dave Neptune]

Stuck

Try turning the engine to see if the "clutches" are stuck together. The clutches should be loose IE you should be able to move them "fore and aft" just a tiny bit. If not pop them apart with a putty knife or screw driver~~DO NOT FORCE as chipping a disc is not a good thing. Also the reversing band should be loose on the planetary drum.

As far as adjusting follow Edward's tutelage!!

Dave Neptune