'79 55hp chry outboard no reverse or nuetral

fmgkmg

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2006
Messages
6
I can see that a plastic piece of linkage is broke at the base of the motor under the carbs.<br />Seems like a simple piece to replace,once I can get to it.What's the best approach?
 

eurolarva

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
4,182
Re: '79 55hp chry outboard no reverse or nuetral

Hello Fmgkmg and welcome to iboats. If the part you are refering to is a white or yellowish cable clamp under the carb I seriously doubt this is your problem. If you want to replace it you will have to remove the carburator to get at it. I dont even use this part on my motor and the engine shifts fine.<br /><br />Questions for you. Have you run this motor before or is it a new aquisition for you?<br /><br />If you have run it before did you have problems with keeping the motor running so you had to do quick shifting motions at high RPM in order for it to get into gear?<br /><br />Have you accidently removed the pivot pin instead of the drain and fill plugs on the lower unit?<br /><br />My guess is the pin for the pivot assembly is broke or came off making the motor stuck in what ever gear it was in. If this is the case you are lucky it was forward. For me it was neutral and I had to use my trolling motor to get back.
 

fmgkmg

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2006
Messages
6
Re: '79 55hp chry outboard no reverse or nuetral

I removed the lower unit and am able to shift it to all three ranges by hand. the boat is new to me.This is the first repair i've performed.The piece I'm talking about is plastic.it connects to a lever mech connect to the block of the motor.this lever mech converts the shift cable from a back and forth motion to an up and down motion.the shift rod/tube threads into the plastic piece with a lock nut. this plastic piece ressembles other connectors used in the linkage.
 

eurolarva

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
4,182
Re: '79 55hp chry outboard no reverse or nuetral

Is this the area you are talking about being broken? <br /><br />
linkage7.jpg
 

fmgkmg

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2006
Messages
6
Re: '79 55hp chry outboard no reverse or nuetral

no,there is a rod that runs down the lenght of the motor to the l/u.in the engine compartment,the top of the rod,the rod threads onto a plastic connector that has a pin through it and a cotter pin that secures the pin in place.with the lower unit removed i can move this rod up and down.it should be secure to the plastic piece it is not therefore allowing down movement but will not pull the rod back up.
 

eurolarva

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
4,182
Re: '79 55hp chry outboard no reverse or nuetral

I dont see this part on my motor however it is 11 years older then yours. Here is a LINK and maybe you can find the part. The parts blowup is terrible but my guess it is either on the gear housing or the motor leg that you are talking about. Then again it might be on the powerhead which is the worst blow up. <br /><br />Is the shift linkage bent or does it go straight down? If it is bent you may have to remove the power head to replace it. <br /><br />www.chryslercrew.net sells parts manuals that are downloadable which might show the part better.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,758
Re: '79 55hp chry outboard no reverse or nuetral

Part is # F474704 COUPLER- SHIFT ROD available from any Mercury dealer, if this is what you are looking for..<br /><br />Located top center of this picture. ? ? ? <br /><br />
16.png
 

hamburgerman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
102
Re: '79 55hp chry outboard no reverse or nuetral

If you have the lower unit off please replace the water pump (sorry this has been my problem in the past) that part is one i've never had to replace can't be much help but i have a manual
 

fmgkmg

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2006
Messages
6
Re: '79 55hp chry outboard no reverse or nuetral

thanks for your help.roscoe got it.$4.00 part,but a few frustrating hours of working in a very tight space. thanks for the website eurolarva.
 
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