Stripped Upper Shift Shaft Merc 1250

[emptytanker]

My 1969 Merc 1250 BP Serial # 2653983 appears to have the upper shift shaft splines worn down to nothing.
When I got the motor I was told that there was no reverse. That turned out to be wrong. Apparently the cables were adjusted to where the previous owner erroniously thought he could get more throttle by adjusting them where he could get more forward motion leaving no room to engage reverse.
I can't say for sure whether or not it shifted before I changed the impeller, but I know for sure it did not afterwards.
Anyway after many tries of reinstalling the L/U in fwd, rev, and neutral, and still it wouldn't shift I disconnected the remote cables and still could not shift with the L/U installed I looked a liitle closer and foundthat the upper shift shaft splines were almost non-existant.
My question, which I asked before with no answer is:
To remove the upper shift shaft are there any other components that need to be removed after I remove the roll pin or should it just slide out the bottom?
The Clymers manual doesn't address this issue at all!
Not worth the paper it's printed on in my case anyway!
Thanks for any input you all might have,
Mark W. Greer

 

[Laddies]

Re: Stripped Upper Shift Shaft Merc 1250

To remove and replace the upper shift shaft you must remove the powerhead and take it out the top.

 

[emptytanker]

Re: Stripped Upper Shift Shaft Merc 1250

To remove the power head sounds like having a garage or work bench at my disposal would be helpful?
I am mechanically capable....sometimes....
In your opinion do you think this is a job for a shop or could I do it with some common sense and a manual?
Mark

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Stripped Upper Shift Shaft Merc 1250

It is not too difficult. You will need some way to pul the powerhead straight up 4-6 inches. I used a crummy block and tackle on the garage door header. Two frineds any you may be able to do it as well.

Remove the LU, disconnect the electric and the motor wiring harness. Remove the starter (for weight), and the otehr stuff in the way.

There are anout 8 nuts under the lower cowling, and there may be two nuts under the carb area. All of htese hold the powerhead on.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Stripped Upper Shift Shaft Merc 1250