1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

[lindy46]

Well, I got the lower unit off the motor and replaced the impeller. What a challenge getting that key back in place. Anyway, when looking down from the top, should the shift shaft be turned all the way counterclockwise to put the unit in forward gear? It seems that no matter where I position the shift shaft, the prop only turns in one direction (forward). Shouldn't the prop change directions when I turn the shift shaft?

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

since you turned it counter clockwise. and it should be in reverse then. the prop wont turn any directions is reverse. then turn it clockwise till it comes to a stop. then give it a nice turn until it clicks then its in neutral if the prop can turn freely in both directions. keep going clockwise and it will be in foward where the prop will turn one direction but not the other

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

The shift lever was in forward when I removed the lower unit. The shift shaft, when the lower unit was removed was all the way in the counter-clockwise position. In this position, when I turn the driveshaft clockwise, the prop turns clockwise when viewed from the rear (forward). No matter where I position the shift shaft, the prop turns clockwise (forward) when I turn the driveshaft clockwise, as viewed from above. Does that make sense?

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

when in foward gear turn the unit counter clockwise until it clicks into neutral. unless your lower unit is different from mine it should be the same

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

when in foward gear turn the unit counter clockwise until it clicks into neutral. unless your lower unit is different from mine it should be the same

Do you mean turn the driveshaft counterclockwise until it clicks? I also notice that if I turn the prop clockwise, it turns and clicks, but it doesn't turn the driveshaft. If I turn the prop counterclockwise, the driveshaft turns counterclockwise. Maybe I'll just put the lower unit back on with the shift lever in the same position it was in when I took it off and hope for the best. I'm thinking maybe the clutch dog doesn't engage properly unless the engine is turning the driveshaft faster than what I can turn it by hand.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

make sure your turning the prop while you turn the shift rod so it properly engages and its easier


still not getting what you mean?

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

make sure your turning the prop while you turn the shift rod so it properly engages and its easier


still not getting what you mean?

What I mean is that it makes no difference where the shift shaft is positioned - from all the way clockwise to all the way counterclockwise. The prop always turns clockwise when I turn the driveshaft clockwise by hand. On a Johnnyrude, with the shift rod up, it's in forward and the prop turns clockwise when you turn the driveshaft. With the shift rod down, it's in reverse and the prop turns counterclockwise. With the shift rod midway, its in neutral and the prop doesn't spin at all. On this Mercury, no matter where the shift rod is positioned, the prop turns clockwise (forward). So my logic suggests that when the lower unit is re-installed on the motor, it's always going to be in forward gear no matter whether the motor is shifted in forward, neutral or reverse. Obviously that's not the case, as the motor shifted fine before I changed the impeller, and nothing has really changed with the shift rod. I must be missing something or I don't understand how the Mercury lower unit shifts. It appears to be completely mechanical shift to me.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

i dont believe it goes up and down

you have to turn it counter clockwise until it clicks. if in foward. it might be a little bit hard

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

Yup - you were right. Now I've got it. When I thought I had turned it all the way counterclockwise, I hadn't. It took a channel lock on the cam to get it to click into Neutral. Another click and she's in reverse. Amazing that the shift control and cable will shift it so easily. You sure can't turn that shift rod by hand. Ahh - the adventure of learning a new motor I may buy two more: a 1959 Mark 58a and a 1960 Merc 400. Guy wants $250 for both - I can't pass up a deal.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

Got the lower unit back on today, and it actually went on quite easily. Tightened her down and she shifts fine. Reverse lock works good. All is good with the world. Now I just have to wait 3 months to try her out.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

good you finally got it. so you finally get when i mean you have to click it back into neutral?


both of those engines that your buying are very similar to eachother and should be nothing different except maybe the magneto or carbs on the mark58a. very similiar to my 1961 merc500 so far ive changed my mind and this is the best urnning motor that i got so far

it will idle around 700rpm out of gear. im keeping it to that until im able to put the motor on a boat to wide open throttle test her. then ill readjust the idle in gear. hopely a nice 550rpm

in florida its a yearround boating season

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

in florida its a yearround boating season

Don't remind me - I lived in FL for 25 years. And what was the reason I returned to Michigan? I'm trying to remember

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

hahaha the humidity oh i cant forget! the mosquitos

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

And all the other bugs

 

[MERCNUBEE]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

good you finally got it. so you finally get when i mean you have to click it back into neutral?


both of those engines that your buying are very similar to eachother and should be nothing different except maybe the magneto or carbs on the mark58a. very similiar to my 1961 merc500 so far ive changed my mind and this is the best urnning motor that i got so far

it will idle around 700rpm out of gear. im keeping it to that until im able to put the motor on a boat to wide open throttle test her. then ill readjust the idle in gear. hopely a nice 550rpm

in florida its a yearround boating season

I've read a few of your blog comments about lower units on early mercs and I have a question you might help with - I have a 66 I6 1000 that ran fine last summer until one afternoon it would not shift into forward but would shift into reverse - is there anyway t otrouble shoot without dropping the lower unit what do you think it might be?

 

[capri15068]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

Yup - you were right. Now I've got it. When I thought I had turned it all the way counterclockwise, I hadn't. It took a channel lock on the cam to get it to click into Neutral. Another click and she's in reverse. Amazing that the shift control and cable will shift it so easily. You sure can't turn that shift rod by hand. Ahh - the adventure of learning a new motor I may buy two more: a 1959 Mark 58a and a 1960 Merc 400. Guy wants $250 for both - I can't pass up a deal.

Glad you figured it out because i sure havent yet. I have not come to a point where it is lockecked in both directions (reverse)

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1961 Merc 400 Lower Unit Questions

I've read a few of your blog comments about lower units on early mercs and I have a question you might help with - I have a 66 I6 1000 that ran fine last summer until one afternoon it would not shift into forward but would shift into reverse - is there anyway t otrouble shoot without dropping the lower unit what do you think it might be?

welll i would see any reason why it wouldnt shift suddenly since you did not take the lower unit off and it started doing this randomly?

unless something has gone terribly wrong in the lower unit i would check your controls and control box.

like taking cables off and shifting to check movement. possible broken cable or their is something wrong in your control box?