Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

[hotrod53]

Can I install a reverse lock rod with the lower unit on? I got a replacement rod and I have the clevis and the pin, can I drop it down the hole and just put in the pin? I'm hoping that I don't have to remove the lower unit and put it up thru instead of downthru....

 

[hotrod53]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

I tried getting it down in there tonight, either it can't be done or I'm missing the boat somewhere.

 

[OLLIE45]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

I managed to do it on my 700 Thunderbolt. I had to take the spring off the claws and twist them right round first and then did a lot of fiddling but I got it there eventually. Good job really coz I still can't get the lower unit off mine.
Good luck.
Ollie

 

[hotrod53]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

I removed my locking mechanism as you suggested.... that thing won't go down in there no way, no how.... looks like I'll be pulling the lower unit again!

 

[OLLIE45]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

Yeah, there's a guide hole right down the bottom that you got to get the bar into. have a look with a small mirror and a torch. you gotta 'feel' where the hole is with the bar.
I don't know if it is easier for you to just remove the LU and put the rod in coz like I said earlier I cant get the bl**dy thing off so that wasn't an option for me.

All the best,
Ollie

 

[hotrod53]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

I tried seeing in there and just couldn't, didn't think about the mirror.

When I had it in one spot, it felt like it hit a solid floor. Another spot went in a few inches and then felt like it jammed.

So if you get it in the right spot, it will go in without forcing or bending?

 

[OLLIE45]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

There is a sort of guide at the bottom with a hole in the middle that the rod has to go through. If it goes down the side of the guide, you can move the rod side to side. If the rod is in the right place, it wont wriggle at all. Its all done by feel. If you can get a mirror and get a look down, you will see exactly what's required. When you get it right, it goes without bending at all. At least mine did.
Sorry I haven't got back to you earlier but my youngest daughter has been in hospital so I haven't been near a computer. Hope I'm not too late with the advice.

Ollie

 

[hotrod53]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

Ollie, first and foremost, I hope all is well with your daughter!

Next, I tried to put the rod down in and found that I couldn't, I then removed the lower unit again. Once removed I tried to put it up thru... no matter what I did, it didn't seem to fit right. This one doesn't even seem to have the right curve, the angles seem to be all wrong. This rod is 11 7/8" long, further research showed that the correct rod should be 9.5" long! I contacted the recycler where I purchased it and he thinks that he now has the correct rod... hope it takes less than the 6 weeks that I waited the last time!

So here I sit.... the boat hasn't made it into the water yet, it is cold out now (although I could be fishing for walleye), my lower unit is off again, I don't even want to store the boat until I put it back together again....

I'm hoping to have the part soon and get it back together ready for next year.

 

[OLLIE45]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

Thanks Hotrod, Daughter is home and heading back to school now. She's pleased about that. Going to get sorted out as an outpatient for a year or two now.
As for the boat, having the wrong part would make things rather difficult and would explain a lot. Don't forget to keep us informed as to your progress when the right bit turns up. Hopefully it wont be long and then you can get out for a blast on the water before winter kicks in for real.

Ollie

 

[hotrod53]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

The new part is "supposed to be" on it's way, hopefully I'll have it soon.

Here's a link to my project pictures:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=445077

 

[chum1]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

Nice pics: Transformed from a neglected basket-case to a useful fun machine.

 

[hotrod53]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

Yes, I would say an accurate description. It was given to me for free by a neighbor with the understanding that I could have it if I rebuilt it. He was my Project Manager...LOL and I think that he got as big of a thrill seeing it come back to life. His son now about 40, grew up fishing off of it and he was very interested in the project too.

 

[OLLIE45]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

It's good to see something come back to life. It gives you a real sense of achievement. I completely rebuilt my boat from a bit of a mess too. Its a 14 ft Fletcher Arrowflyte speedboat. Don't expect any have made their way over to your side of the pond though!!

 

[hotrod53]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

OK, I'm ready to revisit this. After 6 MONTHS of trying to get the right parts from a totally INCOMPETENT used parts dealer.... and Email me if you're near O.C. California, I will GLADLY tell you who this schmo is! Now I can't get my money back and I had to sick Discover card on him! 3 wrong parts shipped 2 months in between each wrong one, and 6 months of aggrivation!

I finally have all of the right parts, I bought a NOS part that is brand new, I have the locking nut, the top adjusting piece, the pin, the whole works! My current issue is figuring out where the heck this plastic guide goes! My Merc is one of those with an extension piece in the driveshaft section. There is what looks like a slot for this guide but it does not fit. I know it is the correct piece since it came out of this motor originally. Unfortunately for me it fell out and I didn't see where it goes. All parts breakdowns that I have seen so far do not show this. One thing for sure, the shift shaft cones thru the middle and the reverse rod goes thru the other hole. Question is, where does it go? It looks like a black piece of plastic with wings on it and two holes.

 

[carholme]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

53;

If this is the guide you are referring to, item 12 in this diagram:

http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/parts/474_16.cfm

you will have to drop the LU as the guide fits up into the fwd. base of the leg, where the shift shaft goes through. You will see the matching guide slots in the recess.

Gerry

 

[hotrod53]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

Yes, #12 it is. So you are saying that it goes in the bottom of the uppermost drive shaft cover? Keep in mind that my motor doesn't look exactly like that diagram. This model has the upper driveshaft cover mating up with the lower unit, mine is not like that, mine has an extension piece in between.

So assuming at this piece fits way up the there, the reverse lock rod just hangs loose for the next 6" as it goes thru the extension and rides on the stepping cog? Even my #39 exhaust tube has another piece that extends thru this short driveshaft cover extension.

I may run over to my buddies house where the boat is stored, I have the lower unit at my house, he has the rest. I covered the lower part with a plastic cover, if I take it off, I will be able to see up there and try and mate this #12 piece.

 

[carholme]

Re: Installation of the reverse lock rod, '77 500 Thunderbolt

53;

You are using the 5" extension housing for the longer driveshaft and with that kit is the 5" extension rod for the shift shaft, seen here, middle rod standing up:

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/9159/500ext.jpg

The shift cam sits on top of that rod and above that in the original driveshaft housing, you will see the slots where the guide fits in. You can lightly grease the alignment slots on the guide to hold it up in there and then with the cam installed on the shift rod, install the LU. You may have to have someone there to jiggle the rod 7 to get it into the hole in the guide.

Gerry