Need help to determine what shift design for 1984 Mercury..Please

[fostersds]

I am new here, at least posting and am hopeing for some advice and help. I am working on changing the water pump on my 1984 Mercury 115hp L6 outboard and I am having a hard time determining which shift design this motor has. The manual says to put it in reverse and turn the prop counterclockwise and see if it rackets. When I do this, it turns about 1/4 of a turn and then stops. It will click once and then turn normal for a little bit farther and then stops. I need to figure this out to know which gear to place it in when I drop the lower unit. Any and all advice would be appreciated.

 

[racerone]

Does the shift shaft rotate ?---------In forward gear does it ratchet one way ( turning the prop clockwise ) and lock up the other way ??

 

[Chris1956]

You will want to put that motor into neutral, before removing the gearcase to service the waterpump.

 

[racerone]

And actually it does not matter which gear it is in to remove the lower unit.----You just need to make SURE that control box and lower unit are in the same gear when assembling it !!!

 

[fostersds]

OK. Thanks for the advice and wisdom. Yes, it does racket in forward gear and lock up in reverse. Again, thanks for the help. It is greatly appreciated.