mercruiser not shifting into gear

[gshldon]

hello all, i just got done replacing all my bellows and gimbal bearing on a mercruiser 898, reinstalled the outdrive and everything seemed fine, went to the lake to try it out and low and behold it will not shift into reverse or forward all it does is rev the engine and nothing happens. Any suggestions on wear to start. the year is a 1979.

thanks

gary

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

Any suggestions on wear to start.

Ayuh,... Everywhere you've been workin'.... You musta screwed something up...

Was everything in forward gear during reassembley,..??
Did you hand test the drive before installing,..??

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

Go to the Adults only and download a manual for your application.
If it worked before you did the work, Then you missed something somewhere.

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

Also, get some muffs and test your work BEFORE you go to the ramp to launch.

PS: In the below link, you want #4 manual for your outdrive, #3 for your engine.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=251571

 

[gshldon]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

Thanks for the replys, yes it was working before i started the work, and everything went together just fine and it was in forward gear when i took it apart and when i reinstalled everything. I will get the manual and see what i missed

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

Did you by any chance change the raw water pump impeller while you had the drive off?

 

[gshldon]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

no i didnt change anything on the out drive at all. I just removed it and took care of the bellows and the gimbal bearing and seal and replaced the drive. So i dont know what the heck is going on. Could it be something with the shift cable not being adjusted just right. And if i put the control in forward gear will the prop still turn if it is in gear???

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

You probably just missed the linkage hookups. You won't be the first or the last. Pull it off and try iit again. Make sure everyting is PER THE BOOK.
Drive in fwd, and shifter in fwd. Don't loose pressure on the prop.

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

Don't loose pressure on the prop.

Ayuh,... I use a bungee strap...

 

[gshldon]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

i have another wuick question, i have the stern drive installed up till the bolts almost go all the way through the stern drive holes and it will not go on anyfurther, any ideas on how to get it the rest of the way on.

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

i have the stern drive installed up till the bolts almost go all the way through the stern drive holes and it will not go on anyfurther, any ideas on how to get it the rest of the way on.

Ayuh,.. If everything is aligned,+ ready to Go,... A Mule-Kick will force the orings into place...

 

[gshldon]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

does it mean that the bolts are that close to the going completely thorugh the stern drive that the shaft groves are lined up?

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

Ayuh,... Best I figure, the splines meet at about 2" to go,....
Then the shift linkage lines up,... Then you bump it thru the orings...
Did you Grease the orings,+ shaft,..??
How about checking the Alignment,..??

 

[gshldon]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

i just had it on and then realized that it was not in forward gear and now i looked at the shift shaft and it appears to be bent back a little and was wondering if that could be the problem? and yes the shaft was greased along with the orings not much grease but some

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser not shifting into gear

and it appears to be bent back a little and was wondering if that could be the problem?

Ayuh,... It could be.... It's a reasonably tight tolerance fit....