Merc 50hp Lower unit shift problem

[Lakeviewfarms]

I just bought a 1978 merc 50hp. The guy I bought it from said, when you push the shifter forward the boat goes in reverse. Anyway I just dropped the lower unit and wanted to know if anybody knew what postion the plastic piece on the lower unit that slips on the spline shaft should be at. and also if the shifter should be in nuetral or what? I'm headed to the library in the morning for a manual. I sure could use some pointers. Thanks

 

[agefhx]

Re: Merc 50hp Lower unit shift problem

should be pointed almost aft for neutral, and you will want it neutral when you mate it back up. Make sure your shift linkage in the engine is adjusted right or it will never mate up. I just put a new old lower unit on my 85 merc, and it was a hassel until i figured out my linkage was not right. Check the water tube that comes down to the water pump and see if it has a plastic sleeve/tube on it and a rubber boot/seal on the end of it. seal goes into water pump outlet and stick plastic tube on top of that.<br /> The plastic tube makes it easier to align water tube to water pump.

 

[Lakeviewfarms]

Re: Merc 50hp Lower unit shift problem

Thanks agefhx for the quick response. I was desperate <br />for info, I have a service manuel on order and am running out of time to be ready for a 5day fishing trip. I'm gonna be working on it today and will post how it goes for me. I found this list yesterday doing <br />a search on outboards, and have to say this forum is<br />Awesome! That sounds like a life saver, the rubber hose for alignment purposes!

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Merc 50hp Lower unit shift problem

Lakeview,<br />Search this forum for Merc lower unit. I went through the same thing with the same engine/motor recently and got enough replies to get it done. I dropped my lower unit in neutral, but then had a problem getting it back up. My boat guy advised me to drop the unit in forward instead. Seems easier to get it back on in forward than in neutral, but everyone has their own preference. Hope you get it resolved.

 

[trevorcday]

Re: Merc 50hp Lower unit shift problem

If your boat has a generic aftermarket shifter it may be set up to operate backwards for another brand of outboard. If it is a Merc control this is not the case.<br /><br />Just a thought.

 

[Lakeviewfarms]

Re: Merc 50hp Lower unit shift problem

The fella I bought it from replaced the water pump himself, thats when the fun began. He said it didn't bother him with the controls set up backwards. Personaly I thought it could be dangerous, so thought it best to take the bull by the horns and be done with it. Well, enough ramblin, We just came back from the lake, I had to take it on a shake down cruise. The first time we had it in the water! The shifting problem is resolved, thanks for all the help! It took me two tries to get it right. The first time all I had was forward. The 2nd try I ended up moving the plastic cam over a couple of notches on the spline shaft, and rotating the shaft ccw on the lower unit until resistance was felt. then with the shift lever in forward it slid together fairly smooth. I manualy turned the flywheel a few times while lifting on the LU before it was up tight. The cam needs to be in the postion that when you lift it up to the motor, the locking pin is on the low side of the cam. Then when you shift to neutral it rides up the cam locking the motor solid and shifting to reverse just moves the cam over a little more still keeping the motor locked and staying on the high side of the cam. I thought I would get this written while its still fresh in my mind. I hope I got it right, It worked for me, and just maybe it could help someone else thats stuck. Thanks so much again for your thoughts, it helped alot. And being a Newbe I hope I didn't rock the boat.