Lower unit no reverse

[Hodes11]

Just changed the impeller on the lower unit ('74 Mercruiser 302, 5.0 225 hp)had it in gear when I removed it. Changed the impeller put the lower unit back on about 8 times to try and get reverse but nothing works. Test drove it forward is fine, put it in neutral still in gear - I have to ease it in reverse to go to neutral. When putting in reverse engine/ gear doesn't engage and the engine just revs up. The boat is a 1974 Sea Ray 200. Also when putting the lower unit back on should it be difficult for it to slide all the way up or do the nuts supposed to bring it up on the drive shaft. When tighting the nuts, there was a little pop. Tried putting the lower unit on in neutral, reverse, and forward multiple times. Are there any tricks out there that I don't know, or is the lower unit garbage and I have to get it rebuilt or buy one? Please someone help....

 

[JustJason]

Re: Lower unit no reverse

welcome to iboats....
Here's a few tips

1. drain the oil and drop the lower again.
2. while turning the propshaft ccw, turn the shift lever cw until you feel the prop lock.
3. wrap a bungee cord ccw around the prop blade and attatch it to the antiventilation plate. you want the prop locked ccw.
4. reinstall the lower unit. make sure you use a new quad ring, and dig out the old one.
5. if you cant get the lower to raise that last 3/4 of an inch, grab the prop and bump it ccw, this will turn the driveshaft so it all lines up.
6. make sure you get your water tube lined up
7. refill with oil, use new drain plug seals and make sure you dig out the old ones.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Lower unit no reverse

If you look at your lower, there is a little splined shaft in the very front, that is the lower shift shaft. You must turn it all the way clockwise as in Jason's excellent instructions above. The intermediate shaft that slides onto it must be pointing straight ahead when you put it all together again. I think your problem is that the lower was not in forward gear when you put it together, and the intermediate shaft did not go back on the lower in the correct position (off by a spline). Done it myself. Good luck.

 

[Hodes11]

Re: Lower unit no reverse

Thanks for the help... But just tried it your way 3 more times and same results.. Prop shaft is locked counterclockwise and the lil shaft in front clockwise. Even tried it in reverse still same result.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Lower unit no reverse

Did you maybe forget the washer pictured below?

 

[Hodes11]

Re: Lower unit no reverse

Yes I did. In th lower unit reverse does work with the LU off. But once everything gets connected, don't work....

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Lower unit no reverse

Did you maybe forget the washer pictured below?

Yes I did.

Yes you did forget the washer? Or yes you did install the washer?

If you fail to put the washer back, the intermediate shift shaft fails to mate with the shoe and the unit will not shift.

If you did put the washer back, then I don't know what more to suggest.