Just changed the impeller in my 1995 Mercury Force 120 hp. The change went well and relatively easy. I followed the manual and dropped the lower unit while in forward. I replaced the plate and gaskets on the water pump housing and all looked good with only minimal signs of wear. The first time I reinstalled the lower unit it appeared to fit well with only a slight CCW turn of the prop to align the drive shaft. A CW turn of the prop gave a ratcheting sound which is expected in forward gear according to the manual.
I placed the throttle/shifter in neutral and the engine started right up however the prop is engaged. I tried forward, neutral and reverse, gear remains in forward.
I also changed out the gear oil and have read about the danger of removing the "pivot pin" however the manual indicated the 3 screws to remove to drain and fill the gear oil. No mention of a "pivot pin" on this model.
It seems that the shift shaft is not engaging (disengaging) the neutral and reverse gear.
I moved the shifter handle with the lower unit off and watched the shift shaft coming from the top and it moves very slightly about an 1/8 -1/4 turn. Is this normal?
thoughts,
Regan
I placed the throttle/shifter in neutral and the engine started right up however the prop is engaged. I tried forward, neutral and reverse, gear remains in forward.
I also changed out the gear oil and have read about the danger of removing the "pivot pin" however the manual indicated the 3 screws to remove to drain and fill the gear oil. No mention of a "pivot pin" on this model.
It seems that the shift shaft is not engaging (disengaging) the neutral and reverse gear.
I moved the shifter handle with the lower unit off and watched the shift shaft coming from the top and it moves very slightly about an 1/8 -1/4 turn. Is this normal?
thoughts,
Regan