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

[2101394sam]

So I have a 1972 Mercruiser 140hp stern-drive. I'm 19 years old and having a hard time with this boat. I rebuilt the 2 barrel Rochester carb and replaced all the good stuff on the engine and tuned it to specs.. now she runs like a top.. I go to shift it into gear and it just dies. suddenly no life! it does the same thing in either forward or reverse. the shifter lever is separate from the throttle, and it is really hard to push all the way forward or backward. there are 2 cables coming from the back and they look pretty old/rusty. and i suspect that the cable needs to be adjusted or replaced. I'm broke as hell so I'm hoping to get it adjusted and lubed up. anybody know how to adjust the cable? here's some more info, I read about an interrupter switch that kills the engine to relieve pressure on the gears so engage and disengage. it seems like the cable is so loose that it is only shifting like half way and getting stuck in the shift interrupter range.. so to speak lol... anyway, I have tried to put it fully into forward and turn the prop. and it spins freely, same with reverse. but once i really crammed the bastard into forward as hard as i could and when i turned it the prop made a clicking noise like the gears were just barely touching but not able to engage. and that's about all i got.. the hull is a Schuster tropicana 17ft. the engine runs really good, and I'm hoping I can pull a tube, wakeboard or a knee board with it. what do you guys think? any info will be greatly appreciated. I am a novice with boats and would really appreciate any help.

 

[fishrdan]

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

Sounds like the lower shift cable is bad, it should operate silky smooth.

Pull the lower shift cable from it's anchor points and see how it shifts manually. Does the cable move silky smooth, like butter? If it's binding it will cause the problems you are experiencing. If replacing the cable, check/replace the shift shaft bushings as they could cause a bind too.

 

[2101394sam]

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

Hey thank you for the reply. What are the anchor points? And where are they located?. Also, once I remove the lower shift cable, how exactly do I manually shift the gears? What to I push or pull? I see the two cables connected to these rod like thigs. In what way do I push or pull? Sorry to ask for so many details, but I do not understand how this shifting mechanism works.

 

[fishrdan]

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

Go to this site and download the manual for your engine drive (#1), you'll need it.

The lower shift cable, is the cable that comes out of the transom plate, goes under the engine, around to the port side and up to the shift brackets. There is a nut holding the end of the cable and a cotter pin holding the cables brass barrel, in the shift interrupt switch arm. Don't spin the brass barrel around while removing the cable, this is a very important adjustment that you don't want to get out of whack. (Though, it's going to get out of whack while replacing the lower shift cable) Take off the nut, remove the cotter pin, then pull the cable free. See if it slides smoothly or if it's hanging up/dragging.

If it's binding, the manual has the info for replacing the cable, follow the manual exactly and you will be OK.

 

[achris]

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

Have a read of this -> http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=1930449#post1930449
Then have a watch of this -> http://youtu.be/-s_tgevX2aI

 

[2101394sam]

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

Awesome, thank you guys for the info. I printed out a good portion about shift cable removal, adjustment, and installation. I will do my best to follow the book and I'll let you guys know what happens.

 

[fishrdan]

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

One gotcha.... The old lower shift cables screw into the bell housing from the front side (fore), instead of the back side (aft) as the new cables do. Just be aware that you "might" have to tap the bell housing for the new style cable. This requires a special tap to do the job correctly, so you don't ruin the bellhousing. (I don't remember the exact tap you'll need, someone else should know...)

 

[achris]

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

One gotcha.... The old lower shift cables screw into the bell housing from the front side (fore), instead of the back side (aft) as the new cables do. Just be aware that you "might" have to tap the bell housing for the new style cable. This requires a special tap to do the job correctly, so you don't ruin the bellhousing. (I don't remember the exact tap you'll need, someone else should know...)

You mean this one?

 

[2101394sam]

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

So I pulled the lower cable and it's hard as a rock. I can't push or pull it at all. the shift lever up front moved easily now that it is detached so it's the lower one for sure. I have read alot of the online manuals. am i going to have to pull the stern drive off to remove this cable!? I have no drills or taps!? The manual scares me and I am not looking forward to this lol :facepalm:

 

[achris]

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

.... am i going to have to pull the stern drive off to remove this cable!?

Yes. If you're scared of pulling the drive, watch this video -> http://youtu.be/w3O63YTOhn8

I have no drills or taps!? The manual scares me and I am not looking forward to this lol :facepalm:

It's a simple task.. Nothing to be scared of (unless you are using a seloc manual :facepalm... One tip not in the book... Remove all the slide and threaded rod from the shift plate end of the cable, then tie a length of cord to it... You'll need that to pull the new cable through with....

Any questions you have during the process, just ask away.... You're all here to help you....

Chris.....

 

[2101394sam]

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

So I sit down and click your youtube link, the page loads, and I see that the video is only 3 minutes long. and I'm thinking no way.. but to my suprise. its just the trim arms, and 6 bolts really. anyway, the drive in this video looks like mine. and I never really asked EXACTLY what my drive is. The boat title says 1972, and i assume that the motor in it is the same year. and hopefully the drive as well. So i took some pictures. I did this because my drive is different than the one in the video. Instead of the caps on the ends of the trim arms there is a large washer and bolt on the end. also, he mentions a vent hole on the top left side of the drive, but for me it is on the top right side instead. what is this drive called? and my boat does not have a speedometer. just a tachometer, temp, etc. also, is this all i will have to remove? Or will I also have to remove the bell housing<--(I think its called) anyway here are the pictures. the serial number says 3251018. (or what is left of it anyway)

 

[Bondo]

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

So I sit down and click your youtube link, the page loads, and I see that the video is only 3 minutes long. and I'm thinking no way.. but to my suprise. its just the trim arms, and 6 bolts really. anyway, the drive in this video looks like mine. and I never really asked EXACTLY what my drive is.

Ayuh,.... You've got an MC-1, which was built before the Alphas, but servicin' is nearly the same,...

Yes, pull the drive, then the bell housing to change out the shift cable...

 

[2101394sam]

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

okay, Is the bell housing hard to remove? and what is a good site to order parts from? like the gasket and the rubber boot things? even the cable if i have to? btw I love your four cylinder breakdown picture/movie. I can stare at that forever ha ha.

 

[Bondo]

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

okay, Is the bell housing hard to remove? and what is a good site to order parts from? like the gasket and the rubber boot things? even the cable if i have to? btw I love your four cylinder breakdown picture/movie. I can stare at that forever ha ha.

Ayuh,.... Thank you,... I got the avatar from an ole poster here, Xtraham... Thanks again Tom,....

Sam, head on up to the Adults Only section at the top of this forum,...
In there you'll find Tons of Great Info, 'n links to the Manuals,....

Parts can be bought, Right here at iboats.com....

 

[Fishermark]

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

...I see that the video is only 3 minutes long. and I'm thinking no way.. but to my surprise. its just the trim arms, and 6 bolts really.

It is easy to remove.

Or at least it SHOULD be.

Since your shift cable is corroded up and stuck solid, I wouldn't be surprised if you have a few more "gotchas" as you go along. Sometimes the drive can be stuck in place even after you remove all the nuts.

If you get to that point, let us know and we can help if it is stuck.

 

[2101394sam]

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

Okay, so I drained the fluid from the lower unit and it is a tan/whitish milky color. I believe that means that I got water in the system? or that it is certainly time to change the oil. What oil should I refill the lower unit with? and I do not have a pump to fill it from the bottom. can i fill it slowly from the top? run it for a bit and then check the level again? anyway, I then proceeded to remove the lower unit. I removed the nuts, rubber grommets, and washers from the trim ram arms and strung them up and out of the way with some bungee cords. after the mounting bolts were off and a little bit of wiggling the lower end slipped right off. Immediately I saw that there was some water resting inside of the drive shaft bellows(the rubber boot thing) and there is a mix of dirt,sand,grease, and corrosion around the water pump O-ring and all over the shift cable and black plastic shift slider. I am not sure how water was getting in there but the o-ring was certainly not seated correctly and the corrosion probably wasn't helping. So now that the drive is off. I followed the manual to removing the up and down part of the gimbel housing, or bell housing so that I can disconnect the shift cable. but I have hit a snag.. It says "after removing the end guide so that the cable can be pulled through the transom, cut the lock wire and remove the Allen-head set screw from the end of the shift cable slide. to remove the bell housing, take off all the bellows, and then remove the cotter pins(one from each side) from the hinge pins. Remove the two hinge pins with slide hammer puller(C-91-34569A1) and hinge pin puller(C-91-36060)" I do not have either of these tools or wish to purchase them. also, I see no hinges on the side of the gimbel housing, just little round things with little holes in the middle. and Is there a way to just lift up that part of the gimbel, exposing the shift cable, and remove it from there without taking off the housing? here are some picutres

 

[2101394sam]

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

and here are the rest of the pictures, What do you guys think?

 

[2101394sam]

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

Also, I can't find a gasket for this MC-1 Out drive. Nothing on Ebay either.

 

[Fishermark]

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

You do not need the special tool to get the hinge pins out. Simply straighten the nail holding them in, and then you can screw a bolt into the pin and pull them out. Be careful with the nails - you cannot buy new ones.

 

[Fishermark]

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

You have your work cut out for you!

Drive - needs to be drained and pressure tested to see where it is leaking.

Gimbal bearing, bellows, shift cable - all that will need to be checked / replaced.

The gasket you ask about - you mean the one to re-install the outdrive. The good news is you can use a gasket for an Alpha - they are a dime a dozen and will work just fine.