Merc 800 lower unit, shift cam question.

[Mike Newransky]

New member. I just pulled out my bearing carrier and prop shaft out of my lower unit to replace the seals. The shift cam follower (small rod, pointed at the end that rides against the shift cam) dropped out as I removed the assembly from the case. This is my question, should there be a spring behind the rod? I'm wondering if there was one and I lost it when the rod dropped out. Thanks for reading and if any of you with experience in this area could help I'd appreciate it.

Mike

 

[carholme]

Re: Merc 800 lower unit, shift cam question.

Mike;

Yes there is a spring which keeps the follower tensioned against the detent face of the cam. What is your s/n or is it a 4/6 cylinder and I'll send you the parts list if you don't have it.

Gerry

 

[Laddies]

Re: Merc 800 lower unit, shift cam question.

It (follower pin) rides against the cross pin and the spring is behind the cross pin, so you just received wrong information the spring does not come out until the cross pin is removed.

 

[Gomer50]

Re: Merc 800 lower unit, shift cam question.

Correct Laddies there isnt a spring behind it if this is what we are talking about.

 

[Mike Newransky]

Re: Merc 800 lower unit, shift cam question.

Thanks for each of your responses. It's a 4 cylinder, earliest block of serial numbers a 1970 I think. I was looking at the schematic and it indicates exactly what was said regarding the spring being placed behind the pin. (In the meantime I took it into the shop to get a pressure check done, so I can't physicaly check it out). So if I'm understanding correctly the cam follower sits between the cam and the spring retaining pin? With the spring on the backside of the pin, what does the spring do? Does it have an impact on the follower at all? Thanks again, to each of you. I'm learning alot!

 

[carholme]

Re: Merc 800 lower unit, shift cam question.

Mike;

Nobody indicated that the spring was just hanging out there waiting to fall off when the shaft was removed. The spring fits against the slide and in this link, you can see the hole in the slide where the cross pin fits:

http://www.crowleymarine.com/parts/4738.cfm

When assembled the cross pin is riding in a slot in the prop shaft.

Here are two pages and if you start at "Propeller Shaft Assembly" you will see how it goes.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1858/pg433.jpg

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/7035/pg434.jpg

Hope this helps you.

Gerry

 

[Mike Newransky]

Re: Merc 800 lower unit, shift cam question.

Thanks guys for your responses. She's back together and I'll try her out this weekend. I hope all goes well!!