Way too stiff...

[Marathon]

Just trying to get everyone's attention.

Finishing up my rebuild on a 1999 Lowe Suncruiser 22' (pics coming soon - hopefully launching this weekend). Having some issues with my throttle. I've got a 1999 Evinrude FICHT 90 HP (yes, I know), and replaced the control cables. When I push down the button that allows me to increase the throttle without engaging the prop (sorry; I don't have any idea what that damn thing's called - I entered into this project two years ago with zero boat knowledge), everything is as smooth as silk as I increase the throttle. But if I don't push the button and shift into forward, the control gets really stiff as I increase the throttle, making any kind of fine control nearly impossible.

Going to disconnect the control cables at the motor tomorrow and make sure the issue isn't in the control box, but does anyone have any thoughts on what my problem might be?

Thanks in advance.


Scott

[cleatus]

Don't try shifting into gear without the engine running, it's forcing gears to mesh without turning. hook up some flushing muffs and start the engine, then try shifting, it should go into forward or reverse with a slight "clunk" sound. Never run an engine without water running through it.

[Marathon]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. All the above actions were with the motor running on muffs. No desire to fry that sucker.

[cleatus]

ok,
did you change the the lower unit oil? what did it look like?
maybe an evinrude dude will give you some ideas.

[Bryden24shp]

Sure sounds like the shift cable or linkage is binding somewhere. By pushing in the Fast Idle Warm up, you have pretty much isolated the throttle cable and linkage. I would pull the shift cable off the outboard linkage and see how it feels at the control box lever. You don't need to have the motor running for that test. It would eliminate everything forward to the control box, anyway. Then concentrate on the outboards linkage and shift dog in the lower unit, if its free up front.