I need help Mercury 850 Gear shift is out of time.

[Ace1948]

I have a 1976 Mercury 850 I replaced the whole water pump on it.
Now my gear shift is out of time I can't get it in reverse. The plastic ramp that slides on the gear shift spline that Locks and unlocks the foot got pulled off. I don't
think I have it lined up correct and it's part of my problem. Could some one walk
me through getting it in time.I think I need the location of the ramp when is in neutral.
Does the lock when in reverse?
My motor number is 4423397.

Any help will be appreciated thanks.

Ace

 

[carholme]

Re: I need help Mercury 850 Gear shift is out of time.

Ace;

Here is the parts listing for your engine:

http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/475.cfm

Here is a link showing the cam, item 48.

http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/parts/475_19.cfm

Scroll down to item 48 and click on the picture of the cam to blow it up and click on it again to blow it up more. The flat spot at the top of the cam is Reverse and when you select Neutral it slides down the side of the cam and Forward is full down.

When it is in Reverse the tip of the Reverse Lock rod is sitting on the top, pushing the locking claws over the pin to prevent the engine rising when in Reverse.

In Forward the claws are not locked over the pin to enable the engine to rise in the event you hit a log or something.

Hope that helps.

Gerry

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: I need help Mercury 850 Gear shift is out of time.

Take the lower unit off. Put the lower unit in neutral. Then, put the cam on, oriented so that the line/junction between the ramped & flat parts of the cam is pointed directly forward (that is, towards the front of the motor/bow of the boat). Put the lower unit back on.

 

[Ace1948]

Re: I need help Mercury 850 Gear shift is out of time.

I want to thank you guys for all your help that fixed my problem with
my reveres lock and shifter.

 

[LPR]

Re: I need help Mercury 850 Gear shift is out of time.

I am in a similar boat as Ace, I did my water pump over the winter on my mid 70's merc 850, and when I got to the lake both forward and reverse on the shift control cause the lower unit to engage in forward, neutral is neutral. About ran back into the dock when I put it in reverse and shot forward! Does that seem odd to anyone? It runs fine in forward.
BTW I don't mean to thread jack, thought this would be easier since the issues seem similar!
Luke

 

[Chris1956]

Re: I need help Mercury 850 Gear shift is out of time.

Pretty standard behavior when the lower shift shaft is not properly set tio the upper shift shaft. Drop the gearcase, set the control to neutral. Turn the lower shiftshaft CCW to neutral. It wiill click in. Now reinstall the gearcase.