Shifting issue on my '96 Evinrude 8hp.

[Light air]

I finally gave up on the 7.5 Mercury motor that came with my '82 Catalina C22. I traded for a 1996 Evinrude 8 hp and it runs great for the most part. I was finally able to get the Catalina out of her slip and take it for a spin. The problem I have is in the shifting. Although the motor is running very well, it is a bear to shift. I thought about putting some sort of longer handle on the shift lever to give me some extra leverage but that doesn't really solve the problem. Any suggestions?

 

[dmax]

I had the same engine at one time, it should not be difficult to shift at all. Don't add leverage, you want to find the problem and fix it - follow the mechanism to see where it's binding. The shift cable is a likely culprit.

 

[kloudie1]

There usually is a grease fitting where the shift lever turns , just above where the leg mounts to the cowl. Try giving that a squuirt of lithium grease.