Home › Forum › Ask A Member › 1963 Evinrude Sportwin Shift Linkage Adjustment › Re: 1963 Evinrude Sportwin Shift Linkage Adjustment
Oftentimes the aluminum dog cradle gets worn on either side making it thinner so it can slop around in the clutch dog groove. I would replace the aluminum dog cradle. The steel shift fork is probably OK, but I would look for a used one that is in good shape. These parts usually get worn/damaged when the system is out of adjustment and the clutch dog is jumping.
The bottom screw on that shift lever simply holds the lever tight to the shaft. The top screw/nut is loosened as a final step when checking for complete dog engagement in forward gear. So, you would first loosen the bottom screw, then loosen and adjust the system using the top screw. Tight the top screw first, then the bottom one.
But, first look for slop like XR55 says