Merc 50 has no Nuetral or Reverse

[Dano1714]

OK, I am new to working on outboards and there is a lot I dont understand. I have a merc 50hp 3 cys and it starts in foward. It doesn't seem to have a nuetral or reverse gear. I shift in reverse and it still goes foward. I would appreciate it if someone would let me know what this problem might be. I am confused....Thank you in advance<br />dano It is a 1984 Merc 0b122929. I have jjust installed a new water pump in it is it possible when i assembled the lower unit it was in foward instead of nuetral?

 

[NathanY]

Re: Merc 50 has no Nuetral or Reverse

What year? Ser#?<br /><br />Sounds like a Dockbuster. You actually have to turn the motor off, put it in reverse and then start it. If that is indeed the case, you will not have neutral.

 

[Dano1714]

Re: Merc 50 has no Nuetral or Reverse

It is a 1984 OB122929. I have just installed a water pump and when i reassembled it the motor was in foward. Could this be the problem? dano

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Merc 50 has no Nuetral or Reverse

Yes you screwed up when you put the lower unit back on.<br /><br />Your manual should give you more specific details.<br /><br />Manuals are available somewhere at this site. Some say right at the bottom of this page somewhere is the link.<br /><br />I'd take the time to explain it to you if I had the manual for your motor. But I don't.<br /><br />Perhaps if you made sure the shifter was in neutral then rotated the shift shaft in the lower unit<br /><br /> (again not sure about your particular motor) <br /><br />till it was in the nuetral position between forward and reverse <br /><br />(but might only appear to turn in one direction)<br /><br />so it might take a bit of trial and error,,,,,,,,,<br /><br />Then get the lower unit to engage the shift shaft while the water tubes enter the correct socketed area, and the driveshaft in the cranksahft without disturbing the shifter you just had set in the right position,<br /><br />It might work.<br /><br />But then again, I don't have the manual for your particular model nor the experience from working on that model.

 

[Dano1714]

Re: Merc 50 has no Nuetral or Reverse

The manual said to have it in the foward gear when removing the lower unit to replace the water pump. It did not state what gear to have it in when reassembling it. Any Idea's. Thank you... dano

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Merc 50 has no Nuetral or Reverse

You have to have both in the same gear postion. Because you can go too far in forward gear, you have to make sure the shift rod is exactly in forward gear. Typically, I like to have both in neutral, as there's a positive point of reference...<br />- Scott

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Merc 50 has no Nuetral or Reverse

On my 73 Merc 500, 50 hp, I learned this:<br />Put the shift/throttle in F, drop and service the lower, use pliers to turn/put the shift shaft (the little shaft up front on the lower) into F, reinstall the lower. It should work in all three gears. When you are setting the shift shaft with the lower unit off, F is where the prop only turns clockwise, N is where it freewheels either direction, and R is counterclockwise only. Takes some practice, you'll get the hang of it just be patient and practice.

 

[RMedus]

Re: Merc 50 has no Nuetral or Reverse

I had a Chrysler 60 HP that had the same problem, stuck in forward. Turned out the shift rod had come completely out. I dropped the lower unit, reconnected the shift rod, reinstalled the lower unit and reset the linkage up top. It works as advertised now.<br /><br />Good Luck.<br /><br />The Fishin Musician.<br />Ron