Home › Forum › Ask A Member › 9.5hp Johnson/Evinrude characteristics › Re: 9.5hp Johnson/Evinrude characteristics
If you pull down the lower unit housing, (top half of #14 in the diagram above) you should be able to get at part #52 to disconnect the shift rod – take the lower bolt in this rod connector all the way out. The shift lever has to be in forward to lower the shift rod far enough to disconnect it. The stuff above part 52 in the next housing that youcan’t see gets complex with a rubber bellows (boot) over the upper shift rod between the two housings to keep exhaust from getting up into the engine. This boot is a common part to break causing poor idle. It’s been a number of years,but I’ve had the lower unit off my 1969 twice and I don’t recall any problems separating the two shift rods after pulling down the lower unit. If it’s not dropping down far enough, maybe the driveshaft is stuck. There is anadjustment clamping screw at the rear of theshift lever – if youloosenthat, you may be able to get it to drop another 1/4inch or so,but you shouldn’t have to.
The link below gets you to the view of upper shift rod #81 and the bellows or boot, #78 in the diagram that comes up:
There is no way to disconnect the shift rod from the top because part #78 is clamped to it and will retain it in the housing above and you don’t get to part #78 without removing the entire powerhead and that is a big time thing on this motor.
Dave