1968 merc 350 outboard/ stuck in forward

[imported_dave]

Hello, I posted 24 hours ago and got some good info on rectifying this but still have problems. I changed my water pump impeller and now I am in forward gear only. I was told it was the shift shaft cams in wrong position and to put the lower unit and shifter in same gear. With both the shifter and lower unit in forward, I have tried many combinations with the cams positioned in differant ways with no luck. Can anyone tell me which way the shift shaft should be turned in the lower unit facing from the prop side and how the cams should fit together when in forward gear? I have taken the lower unit off so many times my fingers are getting raw! Thanks for any help. I have a clymer shop manuel but it does not explain how to set the cams! Weary Dave:'(

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 1968 merc 350 outboard/ stuck in forward

That's why I put them in Neutral. Worked at a Merc shop and you'd think I'd committed a carnal sin. But it always works for me. You'll feel it pop in but it doesn't stay if you bump it too hard, so handle gently. Twist on the propshaft and turn the shiftshaft until the propshaft turns freely. You'll feel the neutral detent. You'll need to have access to turn the flywheel to get the splines to engage. The idea of doing it in Forward is to be able to turn the prop to get the splines to line-up. But that makes the water impeller turn backwards and I really don't like that at all.

 

[imported_dave]

Re: 1968 merc 350 outboard/ stuck in forward

Thank You to all that responded. Got forward neutral and reverse back. Miller Time!!!!

 

[PlayDoh]

Re: 1968 merc 350 outboard/ stuck in forward

Can you explain how you set it? I'm having the same problem actually. I finaly figured out that the "Shift cams" the 2 inter-locking round cams (I guess) that come off when the lower unit is off.

I learned that on my 63' 50hp, that the cams only act to lock the leg to the boat. I'm sure it maybe diffrent on others. But when I turn the cam one way I get it to where I need some channel locks to put it into neutral. If I turn it counter clockwise it will be able to stay in neutral on its own. Yet if I turn it clockwise it wont stay in neutral by itself.

I'm glad you got yours together. I got mine together today but I got no reverse. just neutal and forward. I think I may simply be one position off. I'm gonna try to move the cam both ways one position over. Then I'll see if I can fit it together with the cam 180 degrees or more in the other direction.

I dont have a manual at all, and only by talking to a friend for a few mins did I even learn how to change it. I'm a marine motor newbie. :/

 

[rockford72]

Re: 1968 merc 350 outboard/ stuck in forward

I'm in the same "boat". I'm new to the outboard mechanic thing and I've just mated a running powerhead to the leg from my dead powerhead. My shift cam is a splined shaft coming out of the leg and mates to a female splined recepticle in the motor being rotated by the controls. The Clymer manual says to do the forward thing and I've tried the neutral thing with no joy either way.

Mine is a 73 85hp. Any pointers to get me the same success would be awesome.

Thanks.

 

[rockford72]

Re: 1968 merc 350 outboard/ stuck in forward

For all those who stumble on the same problem:

My solution came at the grumpy mechanic down the street. He showed me the area my selector shaft was in was actually forward free-play area. He used the proper tool, clicked it into neutral and told me to go from there. I did the neutral instructions above and used the flywheel to rotate the motor and get the shaft in.

If only I could get it to idle now....

Thanks for the help.

 

[teeraider]

Re: 1968 merc 350 outboard/ stuck in forward

am having same prob. so am willing to try the neutral thing but how do you know when power head is in rt pos