1979 40 HP Merc Lower Unit

[Cow99boys]

I just removed and replaced the shift shaft bushing on my 1979 40 HP mercury. I had to remove the shift shaft from the lower unit to do it. When I reinstalled the lower unit and put it in the water to check it out reverse is forward and forward is reverse. Any ideas?

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1979 40 HP Merc Lower Unit

you mcst have installed tha shift cam upside down

 

[tibb]

Re: 1979 40 HP Merc Lower Unit

I just obtained a '82 40 hp and removed the lower unit to replace the entire assembly of water pump gaskets and impeller (I really hope you did this when you already had the lower unit off). <br />I noticed that when you put the lower unit back on, you had to make sure the boat was in the same gear as when you took it off. I didn't remember, so what I did was: (Disconnect the plug wires)<br /><br />Check the prop with the lower unit off. If it turns freely it is in neutral. If the prop will turn clockwise but not the other direction, it's in forward. <br /><br />Depending on what you find when you turn the prop, shift the boat into forward, install the lower unit and then check it by shifting to neutral, spin the prop; shift to forward, turn the prop clockwise; shift to reverse, turn the prop counterclockwise.