65 horse mercury -prop wont engage

[seawolfofspokane]

hi- my first boat.it has a 650 mercury on it...i think it is an early 70's model. the motor runs like a champ but the prop wont spin when i put the control in forward and reverse. i can spin the prop by hand and feel resistance both in forward and reverse....not a whole lot of resistance (of course i dont know if i am supposed to feel a hard compression type resistance...never has a boat motor)- and when i turn it by hand backwards it clicks. can anyone tell me what to do? i can tear into a motorcycle engine with no problem, but this is a little intimidating since its my first one. thanks !<br />jon

 

[RICKRICK1]

Re: 65 horse mercury -prop wont engage

First if you dont have one get a good manual for you motor. It will help you understand more in how each system works. You may have a bad shift cable or control box. shift it back and forth and measure amount of movement at the shift attachment on the motor. Then disconnet the shift lever at the motor, shift the linkage by hand see if it moves the same as when it is installed on the shift cable. You may have a bad shift cable or control box, or it may need adjustment.

 

[seawolfofspokane]

Re: 65 horse mercury -prop wont engage

thanks RICKRICK-<br />I WENT AND DROPPED THE LOWER UNIT AND FOUND THE DRIVE SHAFT TO BE STRIPPED...AS WELL AS THE GEAR UP INSIDE- I POSTED A NEW MESSAGE ABOUT WHAT I FOUND.