Prop is clicking after putting in water pump..??

[Taz33]

Have a 50 horse mercury outboard(1974)...I replaced the water pump and such..put it back together and its shifting fine, via the control box..have a question though..it doesn't click and is hard to turn the prop counterclockwise..but when i trun the prop clockwise by hand it clicks on every rotation...any ideas anyone...<br /><br />Thanks much

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Prop is clicking after putting in water pump..??

In neutral, it should turn freely both ways. In forward it will "Ratchet" one way and not turn the other and in reverse I think it doesn't move at all.

 

[Wellcraft 89]

Re: Prop is clicking after putting in water pump..??

If your control box lever says your in neutral and the prop is clicking in one direction and hard to turn in the other your not in neutral<br /><br />You need to recheck your position of the shift shaft after you changed the water pump impeller <br /><br />It problaby moved when getting the lower unit back in place.<br /><br />Rich

 

[Wellcraft 89]

Re: Prop is clicking after putting in water pump..??

If your control box lever says your in neutral and the prop is clicking in one direction and hard to turn in the other your not in neutral<br /><br />You need to recheck your position of the shift shaft after you changed the water pump impeller <br /><br />It problaby moved when getting the lower unit back in place.<br /><br />Rich

 

[Taz33]

Re: Prop is clicking after putting in water pump..??

Not sure which position the shift shaft is supposed to be in...i think it did move..any ideas on where it should be pointed..

 

[imported_miked]

Re: Prop is clicking after putting in water pump..??

I have read in this forum that merc's "default" to forward. Maybe drop the l.u. again, move the shifter to forward, replace l.u.? Hopefully someone out there will either confirm this, or tell me I'm wrong. good luck, Mike

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Prop is clicking after putting in water pump..??

Taz, I think you need to drop the gearcase and put it into neutral. The shift shaft on Outboards of that vintage will "click" and stay in neutral. Also while it is off, have someone move your control lever from neutral into forward and observe the rotation(CW or CCW). Now move the shift shaft in the same direction and verify it is in forward and the prop ratchets in the clockwise direction.<br /><br />Now return both to neutral and reinstall the gearcase.

 

[Taz33]

Re: Prop is clicking after putting in water pump..??

It was just what you all said...the shift shaft had moved...got it all back together today...the prop turns freely in neutral,ratchets in clockwise in forward..and truns hard clockwise in reverse.. Thanks so much guys.. Going to start her tomorrow and see what happens ..

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Prop is clicking after putting in water pump..??

I have the same outboard only a 73 model. I have found that its better/easier to put it in forward before dropping the lower unit for service. Less likely the shift shaft will move when you put the lower unit back on. Enjoy your Merc.