1973 Evinrude 40Hp Gear change does nothing

[reilley]

Hi everyone,

I have a 1973 evinrude 40 hp motor which worked fine until today.
While driving the motor hit the ground at a low speed and after that the motor always acts as if it were in neutral even by switching the lever directly on the outboard it wont move forward or backward.

I know from another kind of motor that there is a safety with a spring that just has to be connected again but have no idea if its the same thing and where to look for at this motor.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Chris

[BowTie5586]

Chris, Your engine has a drive pin that connects the prop to the prop shaft.If you remove the cotterpin & the plastic cone on the end of the propshaft, you should be able to see the drive pin. generally that is the part that gives out. It snaps before you do more damage. Hope this helps.

[reilley]

Thanks for the info
I feel really stupid right now i didnt even consider looking under the plastic cone and you were right the pin snapped. I even had a spare one with the box I got with the motor. Probaply could have wondered what it is for. Anyway the motor works like a charm again.

Thanks so much for your help.
Chris