Replaced rubber impeller now won't shift to neutral??

[PreachRick]

I have an 83 boat inboard/outboard mercruiser. After I replaced the rubber impeller and buttoned up the outboard the shift lever is stuck in forward gear. What could this dumb old (83) cowboy have done wrong? Should note I am a true novice at boat repair.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

When you mate the two halves of the drive back together, you have to hold the lower half in forward gear the entire time, and have the shift shaft in the upper half pointed straight ahead, while the lower is in forward. To put the lower in forward, rotate the splined shift shaft clockwise while putting pressure on the prop CCW, it should lock. You can hold the prop with a bungee cord to keep pressure on it in forward.

 

[MichaelBC]

Could it be that the lower shift shaft is not inserted in the upper part ?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

When they are mated, the shift shaft will be straight ahead and the prop will lock when you turn it CCW (while looking at the bow). Also, you have to have the shifter at the helm in Forward and the drive in forward when it gets bolted back up to the bellhousing.

 

[PreachRick]

Boyyyy you guys are all great. Thanks so much for the instructions. I will try and get at that this afternoon. Will have to try and find some "young STRONG" guy to help me lift that lower half back up. Just seems like I can't lift like I did 40 years ago, surely couldn't be AGE ya think? Thanks once again, and thanks to whoever moved my post to the proper place. God Bless Y'all.

 

[Lou C]

Buy or build a drive jack it will save your back and make these jobs much easier; I’ve had one for years for my OMC Cobra.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Good luck, report back with how you make out.

 

[PreachRick]

Buy or build a drive jack it will save your back and make these jobs much easier; I’ve had one for years for my OMC Cobra.

Thanks for the info. Lou, do you know where I can purchase a drive jack ?

 

[PreachRick]

Good luck, report back with how you make out.

Will do er Eric, thanks again for all the help and good advice.

 

[Lou C]

Thanks for the info. Lou, do you know where I can purchase a drive jack ?

try Stumpy's Fab Works, I have one of his.
if you're going to own I/O boats and do your own work, this and an alignment tool are must have items. I have saved thousands over the years doing my own outdrive R+R every year and have avoided repairs and spending money unecessarily due to repairs needed when you neglect one of these.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

try Stumpy's Fab Works, I have one of his.
if you're going to own I/O boats and do your own work, this and an alignment tool are must have items. I have saved thousands over the years doing my own outdrive R+R every year and have avoided repairs and spending money unecessarily due to repairs needed when you neglect one of these. View attachment 346019

That's some ingenuity right there. I like it!

 

[Lou C]

You can get the height exactly right makes it easy on the old back

 

[PreachRick]

try Stumpy's Fab Works, I have one of his.
if you're going to own I/O boats and do your own work, this and an alignment tool are must have items. I have saved thousands over the years doing my own outdrive R+R every year and have avoided repairs and spending money unecessarily due to repairs needed when you neglect one of these. View attachment 346019

Okie Dokie, ordered from Kurt directly, saved $140.00 less than one on eBay. Should be here in a week, will then update the post. Can't thank you enough Lou. May only use it once but will certainly be easier on the "OLD" back.

 

[Lou C]

if you continue to buy I/O boats you will use it alot. Now for me, I am having only outboards in the future, but my brother just bought a 2020 Chapparal with a Merc Alpha and we can service that one ourselves the same way and save a lot of $$$. Been doing my own outdrive work for approx 15 years now. But I want only outboards in the future for myself.

 

[PreachRick]

if you continue to buy I/O boats you will use it alot. Now for me, I am having only outboards in the future, but my brother just bought a 2020 Chapparal with a Merc Alpha and we can service that one ourselves the same way and save a lot of $$$. Been doing my own outdrive work for approx 15 years now. But I want only outboards in the future for myself.

Is there a particular reason for outboard only??

 

[Lou C]

There are several:
1) safety no concern about fumes in the bilge, a failed bellows letting water in the boat or a failed cooling hose flooding the bilge
2) much easier to winterize
3) easier to service
4)better in shallow water
5) for the same hp, approx 400 lbs less weight & better performance

 

[PreachRick]

There are several:
1) safety no concern about fumes in the bilge, a failed bellows letting water in the boat or a failed cooling hose flooding the bilge
2) much easier to winterize
3) easier to service
4)better in shallow water
5) for the same hp, approx 400 lbs less weight & better performance

Sound like all good reason to me

 

[1960 Starflite]

Boyyyy you guys are all great. Thanks so much for the instructions. I will try and get at that this afternoon. Will have to try and find some "young STRONG" guy to help me lift that lower half back up. Just seems like I can't lift like I did 40 years ago, surely couldn't be AGE ya think? Thanks once again, and thanks to whoever moved my post to the proper place. God Bless Y'all.

Same here, old guy. When lowering or lifting just the lower unit, I have used wood blocking under skag, then another old helper crank the trailer jack. Of course you still have too wrestle the shaft up/under the upper

 

[poconojoe]

There are several:
1) safety no concern about fumes in the bilge, a failed bellows letting water in the boat or a failed cooling hose flooding the bilge
2) much easier to winterize
3) easier to service
4)better in shallow water
5) for the same hp, approx 400 lbs less weight & better performance

Agree with all you stated.

It's an outboard for me if there's a "next time" in my future.

 

[PreachRick]

Same here, old guy. When lowering or lifting just the lower unit, I have used wood blocking under skag, then another old helper crank the trailer jack. Of course you still have too wrestle the shaft up/under the upper

Well I got one of those jacks like Lou has and it has arrived. It's pretty warm to be working out side on the boat, but as soon as the temperature gets below 113 degrees (was 119 here today) I am going to tackle the job, thennnnnn up to Lake Havasu as fast as I can and into the water she goes and me as well !