inline 6 won't stay down in reverse

[catmania]

1966 merc 950ss thunderbolt keikaufer, when i shift into reverse the reverse/tilt lock isnt engaging so i have to be extremely careful not to give it too much gas or the motor will tilt up and cavitate (either that or have a freind hold it down). This is probably a somewhat unsafe operating condition. Is there anything I can do to fix it? The lock and release clips look fine where they are visible, could the problem be in the leg?

 

[12Footer]

Re: inline 6 won't stay down in reverse

The pin may have been broken at some point in this motor's history, or removed on prupose.<br />Between the two dangerous conditions, by far the wost, is a locked motor at WOT hitting a submerged log.<br />However, it was designed to be unlocked in forward only, controled by the cable's linkage.<br /><br />It should be left unlocked in my opinion, but they put a tilt lock on it for the benifit of others.

 

[Walker]

Re: inline 6 won't stay down in reverse

The problem could be at the lower unit shift linkage. There is supposed to be a cam that turn when it motor is put into reverse and the cam locks the motor down. It sit over the shift rod right between the lower unit and the mid section where they bolt together.