No Reverse on merc 1150

[laganiere]

First I would like to thank everyone, I have learned alot on this website.
1978 ranger bass boat not sure of the model 17 ft with the 2 bench seats
1978 mercury 1150 115hp long shaft serial number 4859218

The question I have is I was on the river yesterday, my boat would only go about ten mph, we were really overloaded at that point 6 people and all out camping gear, as soon as we unloaded and had 4 people in the boat it would only go 15mph I turned the screw out for the advance spark and it took off to about 38 mph. When we got to the dock I had no reverse....but it worked 30 minutes before that???? would I of heard if the reverse gear broke? it made no noise just reved way up. would turning that screw out cause that? also what would be the differences between the motor I got and a short shaft, speed, hole shot, etc? and also how big of a motor can go on this boat? also with this set up is about 38mph the fastest it will go or should it go faster it went 38mph at full throttle

 

[laganiere]

Re: No Reverse on merc 1150

One more thing when I put it in reverse the prop freespins just like it was in nuetral. Could there be somthing wrong with the linkage, even if Forward works?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: No Reverse on merc 1150

First of all, you need to perform a link and synch on that motor, before you blow it up, with bad timing. There is a procedure posted in the FAQ, which describes it.

To address your shift issue. Set the Throttle to neutral (straight up), and make sure the motor is in neutral, by spinning the prop (engine off). It should spin free both ways. Now move throttle backwards to engage reverse. Prop should move 1/3-1/2 a turn in each direction, before meeting resistance.

I would suspect your control is not synched with the shifter.

 

[laganiere]

Re: No Reverse on merc 1150

in forward the prop clicks going one direction and you cant spin the prop the other way, in nuetral it spins either way, and in reverse it does the same thing as nuetral. When you shifting in to revers you can so the cable moving and it is shifting it in to rverse but there is no resistance at the prop

 

[Chris1956]

Re: No Reverse on merc 1150

OK, Perhaps the lower shift shaft is not properly aligned wit the upper shift shaft. Disconnect the shift cable, and slide the shift slider all the way rear. See if reverse will engage.

 

[laganiere]

Re: No Reverse on merc 1150

Ah ha she goes in to reverse what a relief, found out the cable was sliding around in the control box(the back plate was broke) I was thinksing about replacing the control box for a smaller one. Are they pretty much generec or do you have to use one from mercury marine? Also does anyone know about what speed this boat should go?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: No Reverse on merc 1150

You need a control compatable with Merc Outboards. The electrical connections are specific to the 70s and early 80s models.

I would think that boat will hit 35+MPH, with that motor. More if you have PTT.