Still Stuck in Forward!!!!

[Dmzhmdepo]

Hello again, folks,<br />Don't mean to be a pain, but I am still stuck in forward with my 74 - 40hp Merc. I have tried every combination of gear changes with the antilock cam,,,shift shaft location,,,and turning the driveshaft while doing all this. Nothing seems to want to go into neutral. Could I have messed up a spring inside the L/U that will not let it slip into gear(or out of gear?) This poor old motor looks so sad sittin here in two pieces....any ideas??? Thanx in advance. DMZ

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Still Stuck in Forward!!!!

did you pull the shifter shaft out of the lower unit by chance?

 

[Dmzhmdepo]

Re: Still Stuck in Forward!!!!

schematic,<br />No, I didn't pull the shift shaft out of the housing. I did not have the tool, and I did not think it necesary. Was only trying to replace the water pump. In re-cap, I adjusted the shift/shaft and anti-reverse cam lock so the motor lock worked in reverse and neutral, and unlocked in forward. However, the prop is still in forward at all shift locations when I had it together and running . Dmz.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Still Stuck in Forward!!!!

remove leg, pull off the interlock cam, and try shifting it. Is it OK without these locks?

 

[nickster]

Re: Still Stuck in Forward!!!!

Dmz <br /> This is not uncommon. The shift linkage coming down from the power head is not lining up with the shift rod coming out of the lower unit.What you need to do is locate the shift linkage at the bottom of the motor but in front of the motor. not much of this will be visible from the front of the motor but you will se it if you move the shift linkage and watch in front of the motor about 4 inches from the bottom you should see it moving. You will need a pair of thin pliers to get in there and to try to hold that shift linkage toward the back of the motor while trying to install the unit. this is more helpfull to do when you have a friend helping. I hope this helps you and don't be suprised if you don't get it on the first time. they can be tricky.<br /><br /> Another thing that can help you is to only pull the unit up part of the way when trying to install and then check to see if you got all of your gears. That way if you don't have all of the gears it doesn't take as long as to get the unit back off.<br /><br />Good Luck!<br />Nick

 

[Dmzhmdepo]

Re: Still Stuck in Forward!!!!

Nickster and Schematic,<br />Thanx for your help, but I have been turning the drive shaft while turning the shiftshaft on the L/U in hopes of finding Neutral. The only time I get close to "N" is with the shiftshaft turned completely to one direction where it cushions to a stop. At that point the prop will turn free but still has a clicking sound. In this position,however, the shiftshaft will not be able to turn to forward gear. It is maxed. There is a spacer in the drivehousing that holds the upper shaft in place while mating with the male L/U. They were in proper place at one point because the tilt-lock worked in the proper gears... The shiftshaft on L/U will turn properly with the cams and spacers removed. Thanx guys, DMZ.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Still Stuck in Forward!!!!

So the only problem you have is the synchronizing of the reverse lock. The reverse lock should only be locked in reverse, not nuetral. Maybe thats your problem.

 

[nickster]

Re: Still Stuck in Forward!!!!

DMZ<br /><br />The shifting on this motor can be very tricky. Odds are that you have the shift cam, which rides over the shift shaft, out of place. When checking the shift pattern, use a 9mm socket over the shaft itself. The actual pattern F-N-R takes only a small turn. When you've found reverse, line up the high point of the cam with a silver pin in the bottom of the midsection at the front of the motor (reverse lock pin). Put the controls into reverse and the unit should line up correctly. When installing unit, refer to earlier post.

 

[wheelwright]

Re: Still Stuck in Forward!!!!

i've seen this about twenty times, what happens is the shaft gets pushed up upon assembly or rides up after out of the copling, look at the top of th shift shaft before then after assembly you will probably see it has rose up which uncouples itself, i've fixed this by keep the shaft down by clamping it permantly before assembly

 

[Ewooddro]

Re: Still Stuck in Forward!!!!

I had the EXACT same problem and it was an extremely easy fix.

CHECK FOR A BROKEN OUTER THROTTLE CABLE BETWEEN CONTROLS AND ENGINE.

You need to inspect your throttle cables from control to engine. I found that my outer cable was broken while the inner wire was in tact. What was happening was when I put the engine in forward the outer part of the cable would be pulled together and would work perfectly. When put into reverse the outer cable would push apart causing the inner cable to just bind outward which would not allow the gearbox to go into reverse but the cable would pull enough on the carb to give it fuel and open butterfly valve. Simple and stupid fix.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Still Stuck in Forward!!!!

This thread is TEN years old. Why did you post? Please read the forum rules.