First trip out with new motor and fuel tank. Shift question???

[Adam927]

Just took out my 1990 222 CCP for the first time since putting on my 1999 Johnson 250hp and installing my new fuel tank.  I noticed this when I was rigging the motor. The motor shifts perfect however it is very hard to give it any throttle in reverse. I have to lean on the shifter hard it seems like it is binding somewhere inside of itself. It shifts smooth with the cables disconnected at the motor and throttles easily in both directions when done by hand on the engine. I know it is something inside the shift mechanism. The cables are free and do not bind or contact anything when shifting or throttling. It appears like it is flexing inside itself when i push it for throttle in reverse. I do get some but with much effort. It shifts and throttles in forward easily. It also throttles easily when out of gear both in the forward and reverse positions. Help!!!

[ShawnsIronman]

Your issue could be two things.

1. You may want to try and adjust the shifting cable rod so that it is shorter.
2. Your rod that goes to the lower unit may be screwed in to much. If you turn it left once, then that may be enough to get you going.

[fitz73222]

There may be to much idle stop preload on the throttle cable in the engine that prevents the control box from going into reverse because the box cannot move into full detent and binds the box. This is why the box shifts and throttles smoothly with the cables disconnected from the engine.