Prop rotation help

Joined
May 25, 2012
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23
I have a mercruiser 3.0 in which I tore down to rebuild water pump, and replaced gimbal bearing and bellows. I did not replace the shift cable but removed it to replace the bellow. I put the drive on than installed the lower unit. When I did the work the drive was placed in forward gear WOT.

Now when I place the throttle in forward I can turn the prop clockwise but there is a click. When in neutral it spins freely in both directions. When in full reverse it spins counterclockwise but with a little more force you are able to turn it clockwise also.

My question is the click normal and is it ok that with some force you can spin the prop clockwise in reverse?

Thank you for any guidance that you guys can offer!
 

alldodge

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The shift foot should be placed straight forward toward the bow, when in this position the prop will lock rotating counter-clockwise. Sounds like your off but one notch on the shift foot.

I will suggest leave it on the boat, drop the lower from the upper section just enough to be able to move the lower shift foot shaft. Rotate the lower shift foot shaft counter-clockwise until the prop lock. Put a bungee cord to hold the prop counter-clockwise. Now put the lower half on keeping the throttle lever in full forward position
 
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This is what my lower unit looks like. I am lost om what you are describing.
 

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alldodge

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Your shift foot slides on top of the shaft in this pic, where splined shaft is, in the center where the "a" is
shiftshaftwasher.jpg


Rotate this shaft counter clockwise, lock the prop and slide in back together. Now if you remove the drive and separate the haves, just make sure the shift foot is facing forward after you rotate and lock the prop
 
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May 25, 2012
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So do you think im good? I spoke to a friend who does boat work and he said when in reverse and turning the prop clockwise that its the impellar grabbing and its ok as long as it goes counter clockwise.
 
Joined
May 25, 2012
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Your shift foot slides on top of the shaft in this pic, where splined shaft is, in the center where the "a" is
shiftshaftwasher.jpg


Rotate this shaft counter clockwise, lock the prop and slide in back together. Now if you remove the drive and separate the haves, just make sure the shift foot is facing forward after you rotate and lock the prop

Mine doesn't have that set up. I have an alpha gen 2
 

Frank Acampora

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Jan 19, 2007
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Ooooh! Don't let that friend do any work on your boat--period. The click you hear has nothing to do with the impeller. The drive dogs on the gears are tapered in a saw tooth pattern. If slightly out of adjustment on the shift lever, when you turn the prop by hand in the forward direction, the drive dogs ride up over each other and then drop down making a click.
 
Joined
May 25, 2012
Messages
23
Ooooh! Don't let that friend do any work on your boat--period. The click you hear has nothing to do with the impeller. The drive dogs on the gears are tapered in a saw tooth pattern. If slightly out of adjustment on the shift lever, when you turn the prop by hand in the forward direction, the drive dogs ride up over each other and then drop down making a click.

So what do you recommend I do?
 

alldodge

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My original thought was nothing had changed other then replacing the impeller. What you should do is check you shift cable adjustments. It's in the adults only section, Merc section in some videos
 
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