Reverse on a 1973 Mercury 115

Dale18

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 18, 2018
Messages
34
Hello Guys,

My son and I tried again today. Let me see if I can explain my issue. I took my foot off to replace water pump. The last time I had this boat in the water I had reverse. Now when I put the boat in the water and put in reverse all it does it click until the motor speeds up. It never locks into gear. At home when I did the neutral method it seem to work. I put in reverse and I thought it seem to lock into place. The adjustment spin nut is all the way forward. on the cable.

I did replace the ignition switch, but I do not remember messing with any of the cables. Could I have not put it back together right?

Any suggestions would be great. I have been to the water twice and the same results. Thanks
 

RCO

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 15, 2016
Messages
350
It is pretty easy to have the shift rod off by a tooth . Are forward and neutral in the right spot?
 

Dale18

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 18, 2018
Messages
34
Neutral is perfect. I think it go into forward a little fast. I was looking at my older post and he said something about resetting the shift cable glide to the middle and then reset the foot.

This is what Chris said. It makes sense. I just know what he means by center. I guess I move it ford and back until i think it is center.

In Neutral, the shift slider should be about centered in the slide track. I would remove the shift cable from the engine mount, set the shift slide to be centered, set the gearcase to neutral and then reinstall the gearcase.

When the gearcase is installed, adjust the barrel nut on the shift cable to match the neutral position, control in neutral.

You didn't switch the cables? If you are trying to put the throttle cable on the shifter, it will be way out of adjustment.
 

merc850

Commander
Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
2,046
This is how I do it in about 60 sec.: Turn the LU shift shaft by hand counter-clockwise until it stops, then with Vise Grips tight near the bottom of the shaft turn it a few more degrees CCW until it clicks into a stop, this should be neutral - check by turning propshaft -- prop should spin freely.
Put control in N and go ahead and attach LU to driveshaft housing some turning of the flywheel will help the DS splines align.
Do not shift into reverse unless you turn the prop at the same time. You have to have the shift cable in place first so that it won't move around.
 
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