What did I do wrong?..mercruiser shifting problem

[thunderroad]

I replaced the impeller in my Mercruiser 160 yesterday and now I have a shifting problem. I was told to put the lever in forward and make sure the lower shift shaft was all the way clockwise when I re-installed the lower unit. I thought I did this but now I have neutral, no forward and when I put it in reverse the engine dies. I've been a lurker for a while here and there seems to be a lot of knowledge. Any tips for me on this...?<br />thanks

 

[Trent]

Re: What did I do wrong?..mercruiser shifting problem

You let the shift shaft slip when installing the lower. You got to drop it again and start over. Make sure you hold pressure on the propeller (CCW) so the shift shaft does not move when re-installing the lower.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: What did I do wrong?..mercruiser shifting problem

Ok, I'll do that. I didn't have a very good way of raising it yesterday. I'll come up with a better plan and try again.<br />thanks!!

 

[JB]

Re: What did I do wrong?..mercruiser shifting problem

I/O topic

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: What did I do wrong?..mercruiser shifting problem

turn the prop shaft ccw, and the lower shift shaft clock-wise to engage in fwd. I find it's alot easier to keep in gear with the prop off. I slide the prop on to get the gears to mesh and then slide it back off to do the final tightening. Don't forget the waasher on top of the shift shaft!

 

[Don S]

Re: What did I do wrong?..mercruiser shifting problem

One other item that could cause your problem.<br />The roller has to be between the two guides on the shift slide assembly. They fall out sometimes and it won't shift.<br /><br />

 

[thunderroad]

Re: What did I do wrong?..mercruiser shifting problem

Thanks all..I dropped it back down tonight, followed the suggestions, raised it back up and it seems to work fine. I too, found it easier to hold in gear with the prop off. I just hung a small pipe wrench on the shaft to keep tension in a CCW direction, gave it a little turn when the splines didn't quite line up and in it went. Thanks again...and sorry for posting this in the wrong area first. I don't know what I was thinking. I last owned a boat in 1975 and recently started fixing up an older Formula and am trying to read everything I can and get somewhat up to speed. Glad I stumbled on to this place.