20hp Mercury with no neutral?

[johnrolf]

Just got a 1972 20hp model 200 mercury pull start, tiller steer motor and it doesn't seem to have a neutral. When you crank it it's always in gear. Is this right? The tiller handle just has start, shift range?, and forward on it. Also, don't think the plug wires are on the right plugs, which one is which?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

Hi John,<br /> Shouldbe a handle on the side of the motor that shifts the gears. If it's operating and nothing is happening, then someone has likely replaced a waterpump at some point without the benefit of a manual and the gearshift shafts are misaligned.<br /> If the motor backfiresloudly or if the pull cord it yanked out of your hand while you're pulling it, then there's a good chance the wires are crossed. Doesn't hurt to swap them back to see if it makes a difference... You'll know in a hurry...<br />- Scott

 

[johnrolf]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

There is no handle other than the tiller with the throttle twist. But there seems to be no neutral. I put the handle on start, give it a pull, and it cranks right up but it's always in gear. Always in forward. Is this just how it is?

 

[johnrolf]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

come on guys, I need help here...

 

[Harker]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

I would say ...No..that's not how it's supposed to be. The shift is in the throttle at the end of the tiller..clockwise is to reverse and counter clockwise is forward/faster..nuetral is in the middle somewhere. Take the cover off and look at the left side(from tiller) and see if there is a cable hooked to sleeve and lever(not on the carb).

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

Hi John,<br /> Okay, let's back up here a bit. Your motor is NOT a 1972 model, as the 20hp would have had the shifter handle on the side of the lower pan. Post your motor's serial number so that we're not shooting in the dark. It sounds like you've got an older 1960s model with the Automatic Transmission, in which case you may be SOL unless you can make your own tools, pay through the nose to buy the tools - and are mechanically inclined enough to follow the manual to a T, can afford to pay a shop to fix it - if they'll fix it, or find a retired Merc Mech who remembers them and knows how to fix it. Those Auto-Tranny Mercs weren't popular with the mechanics when they were new and their reputation hasn't improved with age...<br />- Scott

 

[johnrolf]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

 

[johnrolf]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

I'll try and get the serial after work today. The guy I bought it from thought it was a 1972. It is a thunderbolt 200 kiekhaefer. If it did have a reverse gear, would the tiller handle have reverse marked on it somewhere? Also, if it is an automatic tranny, shouldn't it still have a neutral? The motor is running great, and it's not having any problems, I just don't know if it should have neutral and reverse or not.

 

[ryanc]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

Hello John i have a 1973 20hp mercury model 200.<br /><br /> My gear shift is on the opposite side of the tiller handle. If the gear shift handle is missing,a hole on that side of the motor is where is should be. These motors have <br /> Forward-and-Neutral-and-Reverse. I know mine does. I'm having trouble (re)- assemblying my pull start.<br /> GOOD LUCK.<br /><br /> ryanc<br /><br />p.s. i have a manual that i think covers your motor as well, need info, give me a yell--!

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

Hi John,<br /> Yes, the Autotranny motors have neutral and reverse, but they fail-safe into Forward gear (in theory). If something is out of whack in the unit, you'd still be able to get home. And yes, the shift would be in the tiller handle. Some also had a warm-up lever in the front of the motor, under the cowling.<br />- Scott

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

Hi John,<br /> Yes, the Autotranny motors have neutral and reverse, but they fail-safe into Forward gear (in theory). If something is out of whack in the unit, you'd still be able to get home. And yes, the shift would be in the tiller handle. Some also had a warm-up lever in the front of the motor, under the cowling.<br />- Scott

 

[johnrolf]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

Thanks guys! Hey Ryan, I just repaired my pull cord assembly. It took a while to figure it all out, and an extra set of hands came in handy. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have about the process. I think I could do it with my eyes closed now!

 

[seaweb]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

Hi John<br />i'm having the exact problem (no neutro or reverse) with my 65hp mercury thunderbolt after i replaced the waterpump. can you telll me what have you done to fix the problem. <br />thank you much!!!!

 

[kev_79]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

seaweb,<br /><br />Sounds like your shift lever and cam is misaligned. In the lower unit, there is a cam that has to notches. On the highest notch is reverse, the middle notch is neutral, and anything else, including the absence of the cam is foward.<br /><br />Pull the lower unit off, and shift the controls into reverse. Turn the shift shaft on the lower unit until it is hard to turn counter clockwise. Grab some pliers and turn it some more. It should feel like it has went over a hump. If you can't turn it, move the prop back and forth a bit. On the first hump, you will likely be in Neutral. Spin the prop to check this, the prop should spin, but the shaft should not. Now turn the shift shaft another notch with the pliers. You should now be in reverse. The prop should move about 1/3 a turn in either direction before catching and turning the shaft to the powerhead.<br /><br />Then, just re-attach the powerhead to the leg. You may have to turn the prop to get the splines to line up with the powerhead when re-attaching.<br /><br />Then, hook up a hose and test that you have F-N-R<br /><br />Good luck,<br />k

 

[seaweb]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

Key_79<br />thank you very much. i'll try it later today when i get home.

 

[kev_79]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

No prob, let us know if you run into any trouble.<br /><br />k

 

[seaweb]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

Hi Kev_79<br />i can turn the shift shaft on the lower unit without feeling any pressure, it easy to turn, both clock wise or counter clock wise. i can also pull the shift shaft up and down, but definately don't feel it hard to turn at all.

 

[kev_79]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

You can turn it more that on full round in either direction?<br /><br />k

 

[seaweb]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

Hi Kev<br />yes, i can turn(the shift shaft)in both directions without feel any stuck, or tight. when i turn the shaft drive, the prop will also turns. if i hold the shaft drive and turn the prop, it will make clicking noise (which i think because its in gear) <br />thanks

 

[kev_79]

Re: 20hp Mercury with no neutral?

It should make a clicking noise one way, but should turn the shaft the other.<br /><br />If you can turn it more than 1 full turn in either direction, then you have a bigger problem.<br /><br />Either the shift shaft is broken, or the cam is broken/missing.<br /><br />To figure this out, you're going to have to go inside the lower unit or have a mechanic do it.<br /><br />If your are mechanically inclined, I don't think it will be a problem for you to get apart or put back together.<br /><br />Let us know what you decide,<br /><br />k