Shift cam removal

[joeveebee]

I have a 1973 merc 850 and need to remove the shift cam form inside the gearbox. I need to slide the shift shaft up in order to remove the cam. The manual says something about an "e" clip but I don't see one in there. I have all of the gears out and have a pretty good view of the shift cam area.

How do I raise the shift shaft up enough so I can get the shift cam out?
Thanks.
j-

 

[LakeShaker]

Re: Shift cam removal

J,
I am pretty new at this but just had to change my shift shaft on a 72 650 merc. There is an e-clip on the shaft but in order to get shaft to move you have to remove the nut on top on shaft under the plastic piece which slides over your shaft at the top(of shaft with lower unit removed) and under there is another plastic wahser with 2 ears that just slides off and there is a nut which is smooth with 2 grooves on top which screws out and releases shift shaft. And then shaft slides right up. Please refer to post "70's 65hp Merc what year is it" in that post Ed explains how to remove shaft by turning prop to make sure cam is set so you won't throw things all out of whack. This was my first time and I did it as he explained and it was a piece of cake, very easy. Anyways that is how it is on my 72 650 and I would think it should be basically the same on yours but don't quote me on it. I hope this helps you and maybe someone with more exp. will chime in but I figured I would offer this advice since sometimes it takes a while for someone who knows to answer questions and when your waiting it seems like forever. But the guys on here will help any way they can.
HTH,
Bill

 

[joeveebee]

Re: Shift cam removal

Thanks Bill,
I just looked at mine and it is just as you described. That explains why I cant see the E clip.
I've ordered the Mercury tool from ebay to remove the top bushing for the shift shaft.
(I wish there weren't so many specialty tools needed to work on these....)
Thanks a lot for your help.
j-

 

[LakeShaker]

Re: Shift cam removal

J,
You can order the tool if you want, but you can also modify a regular deep socket to do the trick or what I did was take a pair of needle nose pliers and put the 2 points into the grooves and then take another pair of pliers and turn the needle nose pliers like a wrench and it turned it right out no problems at all. and I reinstalled it the same way. Either way is up to you , but I just didn't have the patience to wait for the tool to come in and then I figured I may use it once and never again but that's just me, improvise to get the job done. And those nuts are sealed onto a o-ring so they really are not that tight at all , just very snug. Good idea to replace that o-ring when you reinstall the nut just to be safe.
Bill

 

[LakeShaker]

Re: Shift cam removal

Also make sure to set the cam as Ed said in my other post, turn prop just until it is ready to click again but not quite, that way it holds that cam in place so the rod will slip right back in . If not it will probably be a pain in the butt but I'm not sure because mine stayed and went together like pie.
Bill

 

[joeveebee]

Re: Shift cam removal

Bill,
I've got my lower housing completely gutted, the part I'm replacing is the shift cam. I should be able to reach in and pluck the old one out once I get the shift shaft raised up. Just need to raise it about an inch to disengage it from the cam.

I read your other posts, sounds like you did a nice job replacing your shaft.
This forum has been a great help, I'm sure I'll be back for more.
Thanks again.
j-