reverse problem

[bottomfinder12]

the other day i replaced my water pump when i was putting my lower unit back on it took me forever to get the shift shaft to line up and go on now i got it on i went to check to see how it shifted and it shifted into neutral and forward great but when i shifted into reverse then checked the prop it wouldn't spin in any direction it clicked when it was in forward and spun freely in neutral but wouldn't move at all in reverse my repair manual dosen't have any thing in it that tell what wrong so any help well be greatful thanks emoBang emoBang

 

[wrechin2]

Sound like a older mercury, then you have it out of time. The shift mechanism on those automaticly go to forward gear. But need to know what lower you are dealing with to fully help you.

 

[tyler ware]

HAd this problem onetime on my merc. What has happened is the switch link has spun when you put you lower end back on. IT barely moves to switch between forward, neutral and reverse. these is a fine tune adjustment inside the housing of the powerhead. If that does not fix it, ,you will need to drop the lower end again, make sure the prop is spinning freely both direction before you do this, this is done by the throttle control. after the lower end it down,put the throttle in neutral position and reattach the lower end, make sure the shift link slides into the female end coming from the power head easily. If it will not, then it need to be spun just a hair to get the grooves to line up. At least this is how my 79merc works, hope this helps.

 

[wrechin2]

UNLESS he was having shift issues before he lowered it, I would not suggest messing with the adjustment at the engine. Sounds like he has it in the wrong place and will cause him more grief once he gets it back in time by having to adjust the linkage at the engine again once it is on correctly. The inline engines are best to put the shifter in forward gear and turn the linkage clockwise to where it just has tension and is in forward gear (can spin inline shift shafts in circles all day long due to shift mechanisms), then slide it up. Just my 2 cents worth..

 

[bottomfinder12]

when i took it offi had no shifting problem i do belive the switch link is spun how would i go about doing fine tune adjustment

 

[wrechin2]

What engine do you have??? If you had no problem shifting I do not recommend you mess with the adjustment. You more than likely have it "out of time" The inline engines are very easy to get out. The shift mechanism does not have dentents and is spring loaded. When you pull the lower the normally go to forward. The linkage will and can spin around and around. You can give a call and I will try to walk you through it. 304-0930

 

[bottomfinder12]

it a 1990 mercury classic 40 hp oil injested i'll probably call you on saturday

 

[wrechin2]

No problem. Later.