[SteveO]

I recently bought a small fishing boat with a 1956 Mercury 35 HP motor. The motor starts and runs really well but when I move the shift lever to reverse it doesn't. It shifts fine into neutral and forward. The cables are working fine, the lever on the engine is moving but still not engaging reverse. Any ideas?

[tashasdaddy]

this could be a couple of things, misadjusted cable, shift shaft installed wrong. bad clutch dog.

[steelespike]

Disconnect the cable and see if it shifts.

[tallcar]

Mercury did not make a 35 hp motor till 1959, the 56 Mercury is either a Mark 30 or Mark 55, this being true if it is actually a 1956. Post the serial number or goto:

http://www.oldmercs.com

look for the 1940-1979 models then click the Mark models till you find your match.

GREAT motors!

Regards

Richard

[NSG14RYDA]

Originally Posted by SteveO

I recently bought a small fishing boat with a 1956 Mercury 35 HP motor. The motor starts and runs really well but when I move the shift lever to reverse it doesn't. It shifts fine into neutral and forward. The cables are working fine, the lever on the engine is moving but still not engaging reverse. Any ideas?

check to see if the cable is installed right in the shift lever control housing. thats how i fixed mine.