50hp Yammie - getting it to shift right after puttiing lower unit back on

[Nelly]

Did some work on the water pump over the winter, and bolted the lower unit back on just today. The motor is an old 2-stroke 50hp Yamaha.

After connecting the linkage on the shift mechanism back together, the shifting is backward! Shift the boat into forward gear, and the gearbox goes into reverse, and vise versa.

How did I get here, and how do I fix it? Don't want to take the lower back off, and wondering if this is necessary.

[DaleH]

Connected with the cam backwards ... more later, gotta go ...

[DaleH]

As I thought, Yam factory service manual for late-model 40hp 2-stroke says on page 6-18: [i]"... ensure both the OB shift cam and shift lever are positioned in REVERSE."

I can't picture your model in my head, but me thinks you positioned the cam ass-backwards. Regardless, you have to drop the L/O. And BTW, if you didn't 'grease' the bolt holding the L/U in place, you should remove them, if even 1 at a time. Clean with naptha and dry, then goop up with OMC/Bombardier or equivalent Gasket Sealing Compound. This is the best goop to use on L/U bolts, even over that fabulous blue waterproof synthethic grease I recommend so much.

PM me your email ... and I'll send you a PDF of the service manual.

[RoseMan806]

If I remember correctly the shift rod is connected to the lower unit with a coupling nut which threads onto the rod in the lower unit. If the lower unit and control box are not completely in reverse when you attach the two rods together you will have major problems when trying to shift.