1985 Mercury 200 HP Lower Unit problems and preload pin

[jbcc2500]

Ok, here is the story. I've got this 1985 19ft Galaxy that my dad was gonna trash. We took it to a repair shop with a broken drive shaft and the mechanic said it had engine problems and wouldnt run. He said it would be better to buy a new boat. So moving forward 13 years later. I was gonna take a choke solenoid off and thought let me see if I can get it running before I remove the part(was gonna use it on my Mercury 79 50hp).. Hour later i had it running!!! So yesterday I purchased a lower unit off a Mercury 1990 175hp and it didnt have a pin sticking out of the top of the drive shaft where it goes into the block. I think It might be called a preload pin?? Old drive shaft has this pin.

Here is the question: If my old drive shaft had this pin and the new one doesn't will this be a problem?? I installed the lower unit and it goes into reverse but when you put it in forward it want ingauge. The lower unit rattles and the prop turns a little but rattles to bad where I think(I know) its a problem. Whats going on here??

There is pic of what im talking about
Please help, Im going crazy!!!

 

[j_martin]

Re: 1985 Mercury 200 HP Lower Unit problems and preload pin

Preload pin or not is not a problem. The new setup without the pin is better and drops right on.

With the shifter in neutral, check the position of the shift lever in the engine. Center it in neutral.

If that doesn't fix it, drop the LU, make sure it's in neutral, put the controls in neutral, and check the position of the shift lever in the engine to be sure it's in the neutral spot, then reinstall the LU.

If that doesn't fix it, the LU is in trouble.

BTW, the prop will ratchet in forward, free wheel in neutral, and be solid except for lash in reverse.

hope it helps
John

 

[jbcc2500]

Re: 1985 Mercury 200 HP Lower Unit problems and preload pin

OK, I will try this. Thanks for the response. I?ve seen in a couple of other threads from people that your not suppose to in gauge the shifter until you have the motor running. It said that this could cause problems of it shifting into gear. Also, this motor is terrible to crank. I?ve cleaned the carbs and used sea foam to clean everything out. Runs great when its running!! Once it cranks, idles and runs great but getting to that point is a nightmare. Usually takes me like ten minutes or longer to get it running. I choke it and it hits then the starter quits and just hums. Then it will turn for a second and start quits and hums. Then it will turn over for a while then quit again. Have to do this process for a while to get it running. Any ideas?

 

[j_martin]

Re: 1985 Mercury 200 HP Lower Unit problems and preload pin

There would be no problem other than operational if you shift it into gear with the engine not running. If the interlock works right, it then won't crank. If the interlock has been bypassed, it'll start in gear. Either one isn't desirable, but there wouldn't be any damage to parts.

It sounds like your starter isn't turning as briskly as it should. Problem could be the starter itself, the wiring, or the battery. I've seen people convinced their engine is failing when all they needed was a set of brushes in the starter. If it idles good, it shouldn't take more than a few seconds to start it. Once warmed up, it should be less than 1 second.

 

[jbcc2500]

Re: 1985 Mercury 200 HP Lower Unit problems and preload pin

I wanted to start by saying THANK YOU!! I adjusted the linkage and its working. The only problem I have now is it bogging down when I give it gas. When it?s in neutral, I can rev the throttle up and it runs great but when I in gauge it in gear it bogs down. If I push the choke a couple of times when I have it wide open it takes right off but I have to hit the choke for it to do this. What going on??

Question #2 There is NO water coming out. I?ve removed all the lines and they are free. I checked the impeller and its in good condition. It does have thermostats on each head. But even after running it for 10 min. no water still. The heads are hot after running it but not to the point where I have to snatch my hand away but are hot. Any ideas?

 

[j_martin]

Re: 1985 Mercury 200 HP Lower Unit problems and preload pin

1. If your cooling water is very cold, it's possible the t-stats won't open at all. There should be a bit of water getting through weep holes in the t-stats, though. Perhaps they're plugged, or the gaskets have swollen and covered up the holes.

2. If the poppet valve opens prematurely, it might overcool the engine.

Pressure gauge data is what is needed to sort it all out.

On the bog, have you done a link-n-sync?. It sounds like misalignment between carbs and timing.

hope it helps
john

 

[jbcc2500]

Re: 1985 Mercury 200 HP Lower Unit problems and preload pin

Link and sync? Not sure whatcha mean by this. I have replaced all fuel lines, filters, and gone through the carbs as well.

As far as the T-stats. The water here is pretty cold now. Also the T-stats are a little crudded up. Should I replace them? Can I just take them out and run it? Is it really a problem of overcooling an engine? Also, have you seen any charts up here, like a water flow chart or blown out version of this?

Again, really appreciate your quick responses and help. When I first started on this engine two weeks ago I had no Idea what I was doing(I'm a little mechanically inclined but NO outboards) People like you and this forum has helped me tremendously!! THANK YOU!