72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

[achris]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

For the shift cable and the bellows, you're far better off going with OEM. The OEM shift cable is also the cheapest option. The OEM uni bellows (and I'd replace the shift cable bellows at the same time) are best quality, and far easier to fit than the 'non-genuine'...

Here's a video for you when it's time to refit the drive -> http://youtu.be/aGVrY4cWiDA

 

[2101394sam]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

omg thank you lol! Im gonna go back out there and finish what I started! as for the pressure testing, It sounds expensive =P. the bellows are starting to crack on the outside, but I felt around on the inside and pushed on the rubber and found no holes or cracks that went through. I read about the gimbal bearing and rolled it around, push/pulled on it. and it is smooth and tight, no rough spots. I will remove the shift slider and cable and see if i can lube it up and get it functional again. Is there a way to test the lower unit to see if it is locked up or something? engage forward gear and spin the prop? thanks again for all the help and info!

 

[achris]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

At this point you should drain the oil, split the drive and service the water pump. One thing you should also replace is the upper shift shaft upper bushing (in the bell housing). The old design was notorious for leaking, the new design fixes that... Part number for the new bushing... 23-805041A2. Pressure testing is dead simple... Just need a pressure gauge and bit of ingenuity. Have a look at this thread... Plenty of examples of pressure/vacuum testers in here, including mine -> http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=1573303#post1573303

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

You can forget about trying to lube the cable. It needs to be replaced.

Here's a shot of the bushing that Chris refers to:

 

[2101394sam]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

So I am stuck again. I got the nail pins out. but the only screw I have that fits is very short and i cannot pull them out with pliers. also, I can't seem to remove the shift cable. the GREY shift cable slide is in the way, and behind the shift cable slide is a tightening nut that I can't get to. how do i remove the slide? so since I could not get either of those out, I decided to get back into the boat and remove the slide that is on the other end of the shift cable. There are two square nuts that loosen to let the slide off. and I cannot get them to budge, what tool can I use to remove the square nuts?

 

[2101394sam]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

Here are some examples lol

 

[2101394sam]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

how did you remove the hinge pins?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

You can rent a slide hammer that will screw into the pins.... or you can even push them inward towards the bellows.

For the slide you will need to use some vice grips and loosen the two nuts you mention.... or you can just cut the cable and pull the slide out. You will be replacing the entire cable anyway.

 

[achris]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

.... or you can just cut the cable and pull the slide out. You will be replacing the entire cable anyway.

Completely agree, that's what I do... Chop the cable between the transom and bell housing and attach a piece of cord (couple of feet long). Attach the cord to the new cable and pull it into the boat...

Chris......

 

[2101394sam]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

alright, well how can I get the shift slide off in the gimbal housing so I can unbolt pull out the end of the cable. and where can I buy a shift cable, shift slide, and bellow kit? I think I'm just gonna chop it lol

 

[achris]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

Buy a Merc genuine cable kit (which includes all the slides and guides) and bellows, from a Merc dealer or an online Merc dealer.... Cable part number is -865436A02, and the uni bellows number is -60932A4, and shift bellows is -74639A2.... And don't forget that shift shaft bushing, or you'll get some more practice at replacing shift cables... :facepalm:

Once you chop the cable the slide will just pull straight off... (toss it in the trash, you get a new one in the cable kit)...

Chris...

 

[2101394sam]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

Okay, am I chopping the cable at the bellows?

 

[achris]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

Okay, am I chopping the cable at the bellows?

Thereabouts...

 

[2101394sam]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

ALRIGHTY THEN! I purchased a lower shift cable kit that came with the cable and both ends, all O-rings and the gasket. I installed the shift cable without removing the gimbal housing and got everything ready, the new shift slide and all of that.. ANYWAY I have read alot and watched the videos of how to install the drive, and in this case I just wanted to stick it on there and see if it shifted before I put on the gasket and finish it up. so I go to put it on there the prop rotated counterclockwise and the shift shaft locked in. the boat in full forward gear. the shift shafts line up and are good to go. I stick the drive shaft into the gimball bearing and ti slides in about half wayish, and I then turn the prop counter clockwise so that the splines line up. and then it goes all the way in until theres about 2" left. the bolts go into the holes half way and won't come out the other side. I tried rotating the prop more, but at this point it turns the engine. I've tried wiggling it and kicking it and no go.. I'm going to try and put a crap load of grease everywhere and see if it helps tomorrow. but for now I'm stuck. anyone know what it might be?

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

I'm going to try and put a crap load of grease everywhere and see if it helps tomorrow. but for now I'm stuck. anyone know what it might be?

Don't put any grease on the area of the yoke shaft where the O-rings engage the gimbal bearing. Just a little bit (drop) of oil on those o-rings. Anything more that will prevent the shaft from going all the way through the gimbal bearing. good luck!

 

[series60]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

Don't put any grease on the area of the yoke shaft where the O-rings engage the gimbal bearing. Just a little bit (drop) of oil on those o-rings. Anything more that will prevent the shaft from going all the way through the gimbal bearing. good luck!

Did I miss something here. I have not seen mention about aligning the engine before the OP installs the outdrive. Must do this before installing the outdrive. You will need to borrow or buy an alignment tool.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

Hmmm...guess I was hoping (i.e. assuming?) that the alignment was checked.... I mean, after all, who doesn't have an alignment rod? Its a basic necessity for outdrive work, like food and water (and beer)!

 

[2101394sam]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

This is my first boat. and the first time I've worked on a boat. I don't happen to have an alignment tool. where can I rent one? and no chance in hell I'll buy one lol.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

This is my first boat. and the first time I've worked on a boat. I don't happen to have an alignment tool. where can I rent one? and no chance in hell I'll buy one lol.

They really aren't that expensive.....
http://www.amazon.com/Engine-Alignm...983&sr=8-1&keywords=mercruiser+alignment+tool

Just a "nice to have" thing in your toolbox. Guess you could try and rent one from a mercruiser shop... Good luck!

 

[2101394sam]

Re: 72 Mercruiser dies when I try to put it into gear. and it won't engage help!

Alright, well I lubed everything up and gave it a kick and it went in. and the o-ring and shift slide went into place good. shifts into forward, reverse, and neutral all work great. I wanna thank all of you guys for the information and help you've provided. I should be proud of myself because I'm 19 and nearly mechanically retarded and I have no dad around to help me out. again thank you all and I'll probably be back soon for help with my first break down lol! I've never had my own boat or taken one out on the water. I've had uncles let me drive them and what not. but I've spent alot of time watching informative videos and learning proper boat etiquette like port starboard aft and transom etc. I plan on taking the boat out to the ramp, making sure the plug is in. and I am gonna put it in the water and tie it to the dock. run it for a while and wait and see if it sinks haha. if everything checks out I'll probably practice maneuvering it and see how the engine performs. oh and I'll be out in lake Lahontan Nevada. the NDOW said I won't need a boating license or anything for that lake. I took the test online anyway. Any suggestions from you boat pro's out there? what should I look out for? what should I pay attention to?