mercruiser problem

[pastortrav]

I have a 1979 mercruiser powered by a 351 ford. It has sat for a year, the engine runs good, but shuts off when I try to put it in gear. I have played with the shutoff switches a little but haven't had any luck. It doesn't seem to be froze up, but I don't know where to go from here.

 

[fone_man]

Re: mercruiser problem

I think you are on the right track... engine shutdown switches appear to be out of adjustment... set them up & give it a whirl.<br /><br /><br />

 

[TONY H]

Re: mercruiser problem

Those pesty Micro shut off switches sound like your culprit. Mercury has had this forever and forever they have been a problem.<br />One other thing to check that is related; Where you connect your outdrive to your Transom, If you look up under your sterndrive, there is a little bar (shifter bar) that has to fit into a slot. If that is hanging up the slightest bit, it throws off the timing of the switch cutting the engine. It will delay it enough to cause the motor to stall.