Home › Forum › Ask A Member › 1959 Evinrude 5.5 no neutral? › Re: 1959 Evinrude 5.5 no neutral?
Hmmmm, I’m a little worried. The detent in the gearcase controls clutch dog positioning, there is no detent up top on the shift handle or bellcrank. So, what I’m hearing you say is the gearcase is not in neutral when the shift rod is centered into detent inside the gearcase. Loosening the locknuts slightly should not affect neutral positioning, and might just be adding slop to the linkage, which you don’t want. I’m assuming you are not concerning yourself with the visual positioning of the shift handle, it is really not important if the shift handle is perfectly vertical when in neutral. I suppose it is possible that something is binding which keeps the shift rod from centering in gearcase detent without "a little help".
Are you sure the shift rod cradle/linkage is properly installed?
Did you notice if this condition existed before you dismantled the gearcase? If this condition did not exist before disassembly, I would be concerned and would consider pulling it apart again.
Sorry, hope I am wrong. Don