Merc 160 doesn't want to go into reverse

[thunderroad]

I get lots of grinding sounds when trying to get my 69 Merc 160 (SN 2497444) into reverse. It doesn't seem to matter how quickly I try to engage it either. The idle speed is 700-800 and it drops into forward quietly and easily. I've moved the lower shift cable up and down in the slot and I can see a difference in how it acts but can't find a spot where it acts properly. Does the shift interrupt switch come into play here or have I been reading correctly that it's job is getting it OUT of gear, not in? I boat mainly in the Mo. river and use reverse very little but would rather have it working properly.<br />What should I look at?

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: Merc 160 doesn't want to go into reverse

try shifting it by hand with the disconnected cable. on older units its sometime necessary to adjust the cable anchor pin in the slot to achieve both gears.