1983 mercury 115, in over my head again, lower unit instalation

[bitesomthing]

Hey guys, 1983 mercury 115hp:
needed to take off lower unit to see where leak was coming from. Found bad seal around shift shaft.
all was going fine until i had to put unit back on motor. While putting unit back on motor i somehow put a little pressure on the prop and when i did that, the shift shaft rotated around very freely. Now i cant seem to get shift shaft in proper location.
Is there a correct way to set the shaft or did i bust something? i can get motor to neutral and forward but can't seem to get it into reverse. Is there a proper location to put shift shaft in? do i have to turn it fully clockwise? does it have to go fully counterclockwise? please help very frustrated.

Thanks
CHris

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1983 mercury 115, in over my head again, lower unit instalation

Reverse is CCW from forward or neutral. There is also two neutrals. Start by turning shift shaft CCW until it clicks and stays in neutral. Now set control to neutral and reinstall gearcase. Use a hand to turn the flywheel to mate splines (grease all splines first). Use needlenose plier to mate shiftshaft splines.

 

[bitesomthing]

Re: 1983 mercury 115, in over my head again, lower unit instalation

OK thanks for reply,
one last question,
if you turn flywheel by hand does that affect the timing or anything????

Thanks
CHris

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1983 mercury 115, in over my head again, lower unit instalation

No timing will not be affected as the gearcase plays no role in timing. if you tilt the motor all the way up, it makes it a lot easier....

 

[bitesomthing]

Re: 1983 mercury 115, in over my head again, lower unit instalation

Chris Thank you for your help,
i did what you said and motor shifts Forward/neutral/reverse very nicely.
Thank you again