trouble with 350 merc outboard/ help

Joined
Jul 4, 2006
Messages
9
To start with, I am fairly green when it comes to repairs on an outboard. My 1968- 350 Merc was in a need of an impeller for the waterpump. After a while I figured out how to drop the lower unit and I changed the water pump impeller and seals, put it all back together and it worked fine. My problem is that now my outboard, when in neutral, the prop spins forward. When I put it in forward and give it throttle, it spins in the same direction but faster. When in reverse, it still spins in forward. In other words I only have forward now. I think it might be a problem with the shift shaft. While changing the water pump, the upper and lower cam fell off with the plastic bushings and I'm not sure how they should be. Any help for a green horn? Dave p.s. On another post, I read that you need to put the lower unit into neutral. As of now it is locked in one direction and ratchets in another direction. I believe that is forward. How do I get the lower unit into neutral?
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: trouble with 350 merc outboard/ help

sorry you have to drop the lower unit again, turning the drive shaft you a pair of vise grips and turn the shift shaft. until i goes in neutral, then put the engine in neutral also.
 
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