Mercury 500 click while manually turning prop

oba97 · Apr 7, 2016

I just replaced the water pump. I did have the outboard in forward and I could spin the prop clockwise freely and it would not spin counterclockwise. Now it still will not spin counterclockwise but when I spin it clockwise it will click. This was my first time ever dropping a lower unit so I may have messed somthing up. I also had a hard time getting the lower unit back on. Any help would be great.

Chinewalker · Apr 8, 2016

In forward gear, it should not spin counterclockwise without turning over the motor. Clockwise, it should spin with a click/ratcheting sound. Only in neutral should the propeller spin freely.

oba97 · Apr 8, 2016

Thanks for the input. I ended up working on it more last night and got it in a state like you describe above. One issue I think I have is when in reverse it will ratchet counter clockwise, lock clockwise but slip every once and a while.

flyingscott · Apr 8, 2016

Should not ratchet at all in reverse needs to lock both ways. Sounds like you have a linkage adjustment issue.

oba97 · Apr 8, 2016

Flyingscott, are you sure? From what I've read in other posts I should be able to spin counterclockwise in reverse and lock clockwise. Is your comment specific to my motor? Admittedly I don't know much about outboards but I seem to read a lot of conflicting info.

Chinewalker · Apr 8, 2016

It may ratchet in reverse, too. Later gears and clutch dogs are ramped to allow ratcheting...

oba97 · Apr 8, 2016

Man I'm confused. Mine is a 1975 Mercury 500 thunderbolt. Anyone else? Should it ratchet in reverse? If not what is my fix?

oba97 · Apr 8, 2016

Whelp I went back out and connected my remote and when I put it in reverse it was locked both ways???? Weird, but aligns with what you said flyingscott