Mercury 9.8 won't go in reverse

[millerle]

I have a 1973 Mercury 110 9.8 hp. tiller. I was given this when I bought the boat. No Spark and a total mess. I rebuilt the lower end, carburetor, water pump and a new wiring harness; and it runs great. When I tried it on the water, it wouldn't go in reverse. On the bench it was ok. What happened between the bench and water? It has a steering connection on the transom mount that shows it may have been connected to the steering wheel at one time. Could that be the problem?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Mercury 9.8 won't go in reverse

Welcome to iboats.

Make sure the throttle is turned all the way down to idle before trying to shift gears.

Let us know if that works.

 

[ddwilson]

Re: Mercury 9.8 won't go in reverse

did you make sure the lower unit and shifter were in the same position when you put the lower unit
back in? If not shifter may not be able to move far enough to get it in reverse.