shifting problem

[roadlooker]

help i have a 1976 mercury 85hp nontilt and trim i am putting it on a 1975 mercury tilt and trim unit problem the non tilt and trim motor has a rod coming out of the lower unit that locks the motor down when in rev and neut i took that rod out and lock mec off now when in the water when you put it in gear the engine dies forward and rev runs great in the drive way in or out of gear does that rod have to be in or maybe other problem

 

[Chris1956]

Re: shifting problem

No, the trim lock rod is just for locking the motor down. Sounds like you have a misadjusted carb idle mixture screw or dirty carbs.