Abstract: A shift enabling interrupt system that facilitates the shifting of gears of an outboard engine is disclosed. The system is activated by the signal from a sensor that determines if the user is attempting to shift the gears by detecting a lost motion in a shift linkage manually activated by the user to shift the gear train of the engine. Upon such activation, the system ECU carries out a set of steps that periodically reduce the speed of the engine by disabling one or more cylinders to facilitate the gear shift. After a predetermined number of revolutions, the disabled cylinders are again enabled to return the engine speed back to normal operation. A timer establishes a maximum elapsed time to complete the shifting operation and the gear shifting itself is only permitted if the RPM of the engine is less that a predetermined value.

Abstract: A shift enabling interrupt system that facilitates the shifting of gears of an outboard engine is disclosed. The system is activated by the signal from a sensor that determines if the user is attempting to shift the gears by detecting a lost motion in a shift linkage manually activated by the user to shift the gear train of the engine. Upon such activation, the system ECU carries out a set of steps that periodically reduce the speed of the engine by disabling one or more cylinders to facilitate the gear shift. After a predetermined number of revolutions, the disabled cylinders are again enabled to return the engine speed back to normal operation. A timer establishes a maximum elapsed time to complete the shifting operation and the gear shifting itself is only permitted if the RPM of the engine is less that a predetermined value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air silencer mounting arrangement comprising a carburetor having an air induction passage including an air inlet portion, an air silencer having a wall extending transversely in adjacently spaced relation to the induction passage and including an outlet port in co-axial relation with the air induction passage, a sleeve having an inner end portion received in the inlet portion of the carburetor in telescopic engagement therewith, and an outer end portion, and a ring shaped elastomeric member sealingly engaging the outer end portion of the sleeve and the wall of the air silencer to sealingly and removably connect the air silencer to the carburetor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an outboard motor comprising a steerable and tiltable propulsion unit including an engine, a speed control mechanism movable from an idle speed setting to range of advanced speed settings, a starting mechanism operable to start the engine, a transmission shiftable between a neutral position and a drive position, and a mechanism connected to the transmission for preventing starting of the engine when the transmission is absent from the neutral position, and for preventing shifting of the transmission to the neutral position when the speed control mechanism is at a setting advanced from the idle setting, and for releasably holding the transmission in the neutral position, and for biasing the transmission from the neutral position and toward the drive position upon release of the transmission from the neutral position.