Lower Unit Installation

[Coork]

Having problems installing lower unit on Merc 175 hp saltwater 1999. Can get forward but not reverse. I have seen directions on this site and others on prop direction and gear selector setup. My question is which direction is clockwise and counter clockwise referred from? From back of the unit clock wise is one direction and from front another. Does this mean looking at rear of unit or front? This thing is driving me crazy; I purchased this lower unit used with a 30 day warranty and am down to 3 more days to see if it works. Been working 12 hour shifts and my time has been limited. I installed one succesfully a few years ago and can not remember for the life of me how I did it. Which position is forward on the splined gear selector shaft? Turned to the left from the rear or turned to the right?

 

[outboardguy]

Re: Lower Unit Installation

I usually use a 11/32 six point 1/4 drive socket to spin the shift shaft. It should slide over and turn the shaft positively.If I were you I would just turn the shift shaft while spinning the driveshaft clockwise(viewed from the top) until the prop starts to spin in reverse( counter clockwise viewed from the back of the prop).Now put the shifter in the boat in the reverse position.Start to install drive and when you get close grab the prop and spin it fwd(viewed from the back)until the driveshaft splines meet up and push up verifying that the shift shaft is coupled correctly. Hope this helps!

 

[Coork]

Re: Lower Unit Installation

Feel like a dumb s....., it only took a little thought. Got on the water worked fine, problem with plug fouling, may all the running on hose did the trick.