1986 Mercury Outboard Won't Shift Into Gear

[mcconvillejo]

Hi,
I'm new to repairing outboards but i just got my 75 hp mercury working after rebuilding carbs and changing a faulty Stator and Trigger.

About a week ago I took the lower linkage off, checked the water pump and changed the gear oil.

I took it to the launch today and it started up and idled fine. When i put it into gear the prop wasn't spinning, the boat was revving fine. The boat was operating as if it's in neutral and the prop wasn't moving.

I went back today removed and reattached the prop and lower linkage. I noticed that the prop spins freely with my hand when the boat is in gear. I get the same results when in neutral. Prop spins freely both clockwise and counter clockwise.

Is this a symptom of a boat not going into gear?

I should also note that when i spin the flywheel by hand the prop turns in the proper direction.


Again I have a 1986 Mercury 75HP S/N:0B107122

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[steelespike]

Speaking generically;Did it shift before you worked on it?
All gearecases are similar in that the drive shaft has
a gear on it that is always meshed with the forward and reveres
gears which are free on the prop shaft there is a clutch dog that splined on the prop shift
and slides to what ever gear you select.When out of water the prop may turn just from the friction on the shaft.
Disconnect the shift cable and try by hand.