outdrive shift shaft position

[captainnate]

1972 mercruiser 120, pre-alpha outdrive

I took the outdrive off and replaced the impeller. How do I know that the gear shift shaft is in the right position? (Yes, I did put the boat in forward when I took the drive off.) When I first took the drive off the boat and turned it upside down the shift shaft fell out onto the floor. Also, I didn't try to line anything up in regards to the shift shaft when I put the lower and upper parts of the drive back together. I didn't see anything to align. I put the shift shaft back on through the hole after the lower and upper were back together. Is there something (cotter pin) that is suppose to hold the shift shaft in place? Thanks.

 

[captainnate]

Re: outdrive shift shaft position

test

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive shift shaft position

test

What are you testing ???????

When I first took the drive off the boat and turned it upside down the shift shaft fell out onto the floor.

Then you have some other problems and need to separate the upper from the lower and put the shift shaft in correctly per the service manual. And make sure the large diameter flat washer is on the shift shaft.

Click Here to download the OEM service manual. It will explain what to do.

 

[captainnate]

Re: outdrive shift shaft position

Thanks for the reply and help, Don S.

I was testing to see if the links in my signature block would show up.

As far as the shift shaft goes, I am missing the cotter pin and washer that hold in place the intermediate shift shaft. That would explain why it fell out on it's own. I have no idea where they went. Maybe the last guy to work on the drive left them out? I guess I'll get those, and reassemble the drive. The missing items are #27, and #28: http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...inbr=1574&bnbr=50&bdesc=BELL+HOUSING+ASSEMBLY

Does that make sense?

 

[captainnate]

Re: outdrive shift shaft position

It looks like without that cotter pin and washer the intermediate ss is free to move around during reassembly. Once it is mated correctly with the upper ss I don't think the intermediate ss would move out of place, but I don't know (it looks like a fairly tight fit). I will order the parts, and maybe see if the hardware store has something that will work in the mean time. Please let me know if it sounds like I am way off, or even a little. Thanks again

 

[stonyloam]

Re: outdrive shift shaft position

Pretty easy. The intermediate shift shaft is what fell out. Turn the lower shift shaft (short splined shaft in front) all the way clockwise, and turn the prop COUNTERCLOCKWISE until it locks. You are now in forward. Use a bungee on the prop to hold CCW pressure to keep it in F. Make sure the ss washer is in place over the lower ss. Put it back together making sure the top of the intermediate shift shaft is pointing straight ahead and the control lever is in forward.

 

[achris]

Re: outdrive shift shaft position

1972 mercruiser 120, pre-alpha outdrive....

Is not a pre-Alpha... IS a Mercruiser 1 drive, or MC-1 for short.:facepalm:

 

[captainnate]

Re: outdrive shift shaft position

Thanks stonyloam, that's about what I was thinking after reading the manual. Next time I'll have to read the manual first instead of just watching instructional youtube videos. It's hard for me to get this stuff right the first time, but with all the help/info on iboats I at least have a chance.

achris, thanks, I obviously don't know the difference, time to study up some more

 

[captainnate]

Re: outdrive shift shaft position

Well I got it all back together, and I think I did it right this time. Thanks for the help.

 

[achris]

Re: outdrive shift shaft position

... I obviously don't know the difference, time to study up some more

Start with this Mercruiser Alpha ID and History - Download - 4shared - Don S

Chris.......