Need new shift fork

[K & K]

Thank you to everyone who advised us on opening the cowling and changing our spark plugs! That went smoothly, however, when we were ready to take off it would not go into neutral to start. After hours of work & testing - we have determined that the cables are fine. We were also able (when the cables were undone) to start it. It started and ran like a dream. A Mercury dealer told us that he thinks the shift fork needs replaced. He says that it is impossible to do this ourselves. Would everyone agree with this? We have a 1974 Mercury Outboard. SN 3808765 65 hp -Thanks!

 

[jebeebe]

Re: Need new shift fork

I wouldn't say it's impossible, but you would be takeing on a job that requires dissassembling the lower unit pulling out the gears and a lot of technical work that requires a good manual, special tooling to remove special nut, and I just would say you probably don't want to go there. My two cents..........Jerry

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Need new shift fork

K&K - Those motors do not have a "Shift Fork". They have a shift cam that pushes a rod inside the propshaft which is connected to the shift dog. If the dog moves forward, it connects the forward gear to the propshaft. If it moves back it connects the reverse gear to the propshaft. The center position is neutral.

The first step is to disconnect the shift cable (bottom cable, engine port side). Now push the shift slide to the center of its travel. This should be neutral. Shift slide forward is forward etc. Check for the gear at the prop. Motor off, turn the prop. In forward it will ratchet whne turned clockwise. Neutral will allw the prop to spin both ways. Reverse will not allow the prop to spin either way.

As was stated, repair of the LU is a difficult one. Maker sure your LU is installed properly and adjusted properly.