1976? 40hp shift

[Buster1955]

I am looking to buy a boat with a 40hp Mercury 402, but the shifter will not go in to neutral,how do I fix this?

 

[Buster1955]

Maybe I did not post this right,I am looking to buy a boat that has I think a 1976 Mercury 40hp,402 model,the shifter on the control box will not go in to neutral ,what causes that and how do I fix it. Thanks buster1955

 

[Texasmark]

What will it do?

 

[Buster1955]

I am not a new boat owner,but someone just totaled my boat ,rear ended me. I am looking at another boat, and the control Handel will not go into neutral as I said how can I tell if it is a problem with the control box or something in the lower unit ?

 

[roscoe]

Will the control handle move at all?

Stuck in forward?

Disconnect cables from engine end.
Try shifting.
Then try to shift engine linkage manually.
Then check the cables themselves. Could be split/cracked, rusted.

 

[Texasmark]

Will the control handle move at all?

Stuck in forward?

Disconnect cables from engine end.
Try shifting.
Then try to shift engine linkage manually.
Then check the cables themselves. Could be split/cracked, rusted.

+1..........

 

[Buster1955]

Decide not to by the boats,to many problems, no registration for the trailer and Motor V can not garantee I can get one.Thanks