1973 65hp 650 : Tilt Lock Cam Questions

[mpdsville1]

73 merc 650 , 3cyl , S/N 355xxxx

Just got this outboard.. Powerhead Great, L/U "Should Be Fine.."

Ran on muffs and got it idling. I saw no telltale flow so
dropped the lower unit to pop in a new impeller and visually
inspect the general area. (Impeller was in rough shape and
tell-tale-tube was plugged).

My new manual has already been ordered, but its not here yet.


Tilt lock:
Q1: Theres a nylon wedge shaped cam/thing
that sits atop the forward part of the L-unit. Tilt Lock
rod and shift rod pass thru it. It sure seemed to me that
it was in upside down. I suspect the last person in there
was guessing a bit. This item will fit in either side up.
Either its "ears" point up towards the head, or down over
the metal cam on the shift-spline. It was in "Ears Up"
and examining it carefully it looks like a natural fit as
ears down. Please confirm "Ears Down" is correct. I cant
tell from the parts diagram and my manual hasn't arrived yet.

Q2: So below the Wedge Shaped Nylon affair on the shift spline
is an aluminum cam. This obviously actuates the tilt lock rod.
what is the proper alignment on the shift spline for this cam?
I'm guessing its not in the proper position either.


Thanks !

More questions Im sure, as I get to know my first Merc.

Mike

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1973 65hp 650 : Tilt Lock Cam Questions

Mike, The cam thingy pushes the reverse lock rod up/down to lock/unlock the LU. As long as the LU and MerControl are in neutral, the cam will be in the correct position.

The other thing is the upper shift rod guide. I do not think it matters which way it goes in, but it needs to be in the midsection when you install the LU.

 

[mpdsville1]

Re: 1973 65hp 650 : Tilt Lock Cam Questions

Chris1956 Wrote:

> Mike, The cam thingy pushes the reverse lock rod up/down to lock/unlock the > LU. As long as the LU and MerControl are in neutral, the cam will be in the
> correct position.

Thanks Chris, but since that cam comes right up and off the shift spline
i have a high degree of confidence that whoever tacked this lower unit
onto the head/leg simply put stuff wherever it fit.
(Ex: Shift=Neutral->Gearbox=Fwd.. caused adventurous shifting)
I'm looking to verify the proper position of the cam on the spline..
Flat top dead forward when in drive is it?

I pray whomever tacked this gearbox on didn't actually get
INTO the unit ..

Thanks Again ..
Mike

 

[noahnsteph]

Re: 1973 65hp 650 : Tilt Lock Cam Questions

Never mind, I just re-read and realized you were into the lower unit. I was going to offer to take pics but mine is complete.

 

[mpdsville1]

Re: 1973 65hp 650 : Tilt Lock Cam Questions

Solved.

1- Got the Cam figured out.
2- The upper shift rod guide MUST go in "ears" up.
(it doesnt look that way but thats the fact)

Thanks to all for your help

Mike