Merc model 110 1972 9.8hp reverse will not engage

[bryanzzz]

Guys, friend of mine got a deal on this motor, runs greats, shifts into forward fine but will not engage when shifting into reverse. Previous owner installed a new water pump impeller, could they have missed something related to shift linkage when putting lower unit back on? With engine cover off, all looks OK going from N to R to F. Can't believe any major problem, engine appears to have very little use for a 1972 model. Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[gm280]

Sure sound like somebody miss aligned the shift linkage when reassembling after replacing the water impellor. It is probably going to have to be take apart again to see the problem. But before doing that, locate a breakdown of that engine on the net and familiarize yourself how everything fits and works and make sure everything up top is correct first. Could be you can fix the issue without another tear down... Look on here for such a breakdown. Use the model number from the ID plate and see...

 

[racerone]

very common.----It is easy to check this.-----Remove the lower unit.---Just takes 2 nuts.----Then rotate the shift shaft and see if you can get reverse on the lower unit.----If the lower unit shift fine then re-assemble with shift lever and lower unit both in the same gear.

 

[ddwilson]

Would agree with the above comments. Sounds like it was put back together with the shift in one gear and lower unit in another. Drop the lower unit and see if you can manually shift the lower unit into forward, neutral and reverse. If that is fine make sure lower unit and shift lever are both in the same gear. I usually put them both in forward but pick one. Make sure when you put it back together you get the water line lined up and back into the water pump housing.

 

[bryanzzz]

Good info, thank guys.