My 1969 37 footer had a helm station added up top, and the stock
controls and gauges were moved up there.  I installed new Morse
controls down below and have another set to put up top.  My
question relates to the solenoids that are attached to the stock
shifters.  They are 4" long tubes with 6 wires coming off them and
there is one attached to each shifter.  I believe they control the
clutches.  One seemed to quit working last year and the starboard
engine wouldn't go in reverse.  A local marina that has been
renting Queens for years disconnected the drive belt that runs the
clutch on that engine and then it shifted fine.  If I want to get
that top helm station working, I need to install the new controls and
get rid of the old ones with the solenoids attached.  I might end
up having to disconnect the clutch on the port engine too.  The
starboard engine shifts as well as it did when it was new, and I think
I'm shifting without the clutch.  Anybody have experience with
this problem.  Those old shifters and solenoids can't last
forever.  Can I get by shifting without the clutch?  Makes no
noise, shifts fine.

The clutches are the reason the Dana outdrives shift without clunking and last forever. When you shift with out the clutch you get a pretty good clunk and sometimes you will skip and rattle and take a little off the shifter dog and will eventually have to replace parts.

The solenoid valve is in a tee in the pump pressure line. The flow of oil in normal operation is from the pump outlet thru the valve and right back to the reservoir on the tank. Movement of the shift lever will cause the solenoid valve to close off the return path to the tank, the cylinder will extend causing the clutch to release and continuation of lever movement will shift your outdrive silently.

It's important to pause in neutral for a second or 2 to allow the clutch time to operate.

The switches on your new controls may or may not be compatable with Dana requirements. They may be set up as neutral start safety switches for inboards hence they would have to be modified for Dana use. Probably not 1 in a hundred marine mechanics is up to speed on the Dana system so you will have to provide a manual for them. See the Dana sticky at the head of the Maintenance forum for more more information.

You do need to get these items corrected to prevent future expensive repairs. Its amazing how silently these units shift when properly set up.

If you get totally frustrated with your mechanic you can attach a pushbutton switch to your control lever and operate it manually just as you would in a stickshift car.

Email me if you get stuck
OLD HOUSEBOATER38910.3620023148