CONTROLS BACKWARDS?

Joined
May 25, 2003
Messages
2
I have a 50 hp mercury it is a thunderbolt, i just put a new water pump in and re-installed my lower unit!, My reverse wasnt working too well before, but now it works great excpet that when i shift my lever forward it goes into reverse and when i shift into reverse it goes into forward?...How can that be? also my reverse lock isnt working or i installed it wrong cause motor wants to lift out of the water? any iadeas,,,<br />thanks////
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,819
Re: CONTROLS BACKWARDS?

I think you need to have both the control shift handle and the lower unit shifted into forward when re-installing the lower unit. I would drop the l/u again, put both in forward, and re-install. Double check on adjusting the shift rod in the manual.
 

OBJ

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
10,161
Re: CONTROLS BACKWARDS?

Roscoe hit the nail right on the head. The way the shift cam in the lower unit is designed, the unit naturally wants to slip into forward gear. So...when removing/installing the lower unit, make sure the control is in forward and that the lower unit is in forward also. You can check the lowe unit by gently clamping vice grips to the shift rod and while turning the drive shaft, move the shift rod counter clockwise until you feel the shift cam engage. Look at the prop and see which way it's turning. Reverse is counter clockwise and forward is clock wise (looking from the rear). Check for forward gear and assemble lower unit to the midsection. Readjustment of the shift cable may help your reverse problem. Mercs are sensitive to slight midadjustment of the shift cable.
 
Top