Not shifting to reverse / 1978 Mercury 500 Thunderbolt 50HP

[lgaytan]

Hello
just recently I had issues with the motor to shift to reverse gear, no issues to forward only to reverse. It seems it wants to shift but makes some grinding and dont engage fully. Is there a set up procedure for the shifting cables any one can share?

Thanks

 

[Chris1956]

Sure. Disconnect the shift and throttle cables. Set motor to neutral. Set contol to neutral. Now turn shift cable adjuster until it fits onto shift lever.

Reconnect throttle cable.

 

[lgaytan]

thanks, will try this weekend

 

[racerone]

Was lower unit off for water pump work ?

 

[lgaytan]

No, it just stopped working, I think I know the issue now, they are completely damagged in all the liner, probably this are 40 yesrs old or more. I will change them how ever I dont know how to select the new ones, what should I messure? The complete length of the cable? If doing that I mesure 13' 5“, would that be a 13' cable or a 14'?

Thanks

 

[lgaytan]

From the controls to the transom my boat is 8' and from that side to the center of the motor another 2', my cables were doing a very big curve when installed so probably this were too long, how long do you suggest to order new ones?

 

[Chris1956]

The cable OEMs usually have a formula for that. Teleflex was a large OEM. It looks like Seastar bought out Teleflex. I would try their website.

 

[merc850]

Mercury manual says this

 

[lgaytan]

Thanks merc850 this is the information I needed, it's strange that measuring from anchor hole to anchor hole I got 13.5' I thought they were not produced in fractional sizes, anyways with the measurements from the boat 8' + 2' and adding 18", this should be a 12' I guess.

 

[lgaytan]

solved with new cables, definetely the not shifting was due to the very damaged cables I had, I got the 13' same as the ones it had before, I think they are too long but I didn't wanted to risk going for the shorter ones.