Shift shaft/gear box in neutral?

78BAJA

Recruit
Joined
Jul 12, 2010
Messages
1
Hello everyone-

1978 Mercury 150. Replaced water pump, worked great. Reinstalled lower unit and found I was stuck in forward no matter where I positioned the control box while running.

Now as I read through the manuel in reinstalling the LU I have to shift the gear box and control box into neutral. The shaft leading to the gear box (shift shaft) will spin ~270 degrees before it hits a stop on both sides. It does not feel like the shaft can spin further then 270. No matter which way I position the shift shaft (spinning the full 270) the gear doesnt change. While spinning the shaft I also spin the prop to see if its in neutral. I cannot spin the prop freely in both directions.

Upon speaking with a boat mechanic he said the shift shaft was 180 degrees out of position. He also said I should be able to find neutral-forward-reverse while spinning the shift shaft. I can't change the gear no matter the position.

Maybe the gear box needs work??? Its hot!!!:eek: I need to get to the lake:p..... any expierence is much appreciated-
 

turtles11756

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
260
Re: Shift shaft/gear box in neutral?

if nothing was wrong before lower was removed nothings wrong now. sounds like shift is in reverse .the reverse lock will have to be in sync also when reassembled
 
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