80hp merc won't shift in water

[daggers]

I have a 1980ish merc outboard that I just put a newer lower unit on, out of the water it seems to shift into gear ok, but when I put it into the water and try to shift it into gear it doesn't want to go.It makes sounds like the gears are bouncing off of each other. If I rev up the rpms it will eventually shift but then the engine will die instantlly. got any advice on what to do? Jimbo

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 80hp merc won't shift in water

It sounds like the upper shift shaft and the lower shift shaft are not mating in the correct position. You might set the motor into neutral and disconnect the shift cable and see if the LU stays in neutral (it should "click" into neutral). If not, you should drop the LU, set the MerControl to neutral, set the LU to neutral and reinstall it.

Now when you get the shift linkage correct, if the motor still dies, it is likely due ot the idle mixture being set too lean. Open the top carb 1/8 turn and see i that fixes it. If not, open the bottom carb 1/8 turn and try again. Repeat if necessary.

 

[lp142]

Re: 80hp merc won't shift in water

For my own stupidity here, how do you set the lower unit in neutral when it's dropped?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 80hp merc won't shift in water

I put an adjustable wrench onto the shift shaft and turn it until it "clicks" into neutral. Be careful not to mess up the splines.