how do i align for neutral on my merc 500

[SheGoze2]

I am having difficulty aligning the powerhead to neutral on my Merc 500 50HP Serial 3238775. Setting the gearbox to neutral was easy but whilst I can occasionally get all my gears I lose have to sacrafice full throttle on forward. The reverse gear has been troublesome for a number of years now.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: how do i align for neutral on my merc 500

Set the gearbox in neutral. Now turn the shiftshaft clockwise (looking down on the gearbox) until it just clicks into forward, no further. <br /><br />Look at the shift linkage in the powerhead. There's a empty cylindrical hole in the linkage where the "pin" (really a fat metal cylinder) in the shift cable fits. Move the linkage so that the rear edge of that hole lines up with the front edge of the exhaust plate. Now assemble the lower unit to the powerhead. You may have to wiggle the shiftshaft slightly to get the splines to line up. (The exhaust plate is a flat metal plate taking up most of the rear of the port side of the engine.)

 

[SheGoze2]

Re: how do i align for neutral on my merc 500

Many thanks for your advice. You have probably already worked out that I'm very new to dabbling with engines. If I may jusy ask one more question... when you say "turn the shiftshaft clockwise.. until it just clicks into forward" I'm assuming you mean the splined rod protruding from the gearbox as opposed to the flexible shift rod going to the powerhead.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: how do i align for neutral on my merc 500

Sound advice. The shiftshaft is that little splined shaft up front on the lower unit. It has 3 postions, F (prop turns clockwise), N (prop freewheels either direction, and R (prop turns only counterclockwise). It always moves while you are trying to get the splines lined back up when putting the lower unit back on. Just takes patience...a couple refreshing beverages helps alot. Start with the shifter in N or F, your choice.