No Neutral

I have a '68 Johnson 55 hp outboard, it starts fine, but it starts in gear and I have forward and reverse, but no neutral. I am new to boating, and was hoping that someone could point me in the right direction to diagnose this problem or find another motor.

 

There is a rod that runs down the leg that is loose.

There should be an oval cover on the leg -2 screws- that will open to show the connection.

Remove the cover , lift and reconnect the rod to its clamp and be sure the engine is in neutral when the control on the power head is in neutral.

BUY Da Book, these engines are easy to maintain but they MUST be maintained, oil in the lower drive etc.

FF

 

Thanks Fred, I'll give that a try and am sourcing out the book, any suggestions on which book is best value for the dollar.

 

if thats a 3 cylinder 55 is has hydro electric shift in 68 and on.
( typing this as I remember how they work...)
It has 2 solenoids one for neutral and one for reverse.
( they are actually controlling a valve in a hydraulic pump)
It is spring loaded into foward..safety issue re no oil and no power.
There are 2 wires that go down the exhaust housing in a thick rubber loom.
They have individual sleeves over them with knife conectors somewhere low on the powerhead. The are green and blue from memory.
Must be disconnected to remove the lower unit, make sure they are greased up so they slip down easily.
Make sure you put a mouse on one wire so you can pull the loom up again.
Lots of tape and grease to do that job

You need power in one for neutral and maybe power in both to get reverse.
The problem most likely is the switch in the contol box.
It was a good gearbox also used on all engines larger than 55 from 69 till 73.
Only stopped as USCG rules changed disallowing electric shift.
now we all have electric controls and engines..haha!
They do have special oil DO NOT use normal gear oil.
The oil was called Type C from OMC was quiet thin and had some property to suit the electro magnets as I remember it.

Be careful if running the engine and when you turn it off it jumps into forward gear.
This is a fault with the shift diodes ( on the powerhead) and needs to be fixed ASAP
1968 just makes it in to the cut for BRP supported engines ( how much support I couldnt say but parts were common to 72)
If you can get a manual for any of these it will be correct for the shift
55, 1968
55, 85 115 in 69 and 70, 71, 72 ( the 55 became a 60 then a 65 by 72)
there was a 125 by 72 as well.

 

I am thinking about replacing my current controls (done) with universal controls on a '68 55hp Johnson (hydro electric shift). Will standard universal controls work, or do I need special ones?

 

You can only use OMC contols for electric shift

 

Thank you, has anyone installed aftermarket controls? What are the good brands? My controls need to be replaced, just not sure whether or not to go with the fugly originals or aftermarket. Any suggestions.

 

well you can use anything BUT it has to control the electric switch.
It would be something custom