forward is backwared backwards is forwards

[outboardnut]

I'm playing around with a 79 or so 85 HP Mariner that has Mercury controls.

Forwards is backwards and backwards is forwards on the control box.

It has the shift cam 2 type lower unit on it I believe....the shift rod will rotate all the way around.

I've been using the search function and all the posts seem to point to it being misaligned.

The lower unit was stabbed in neutral.
Forward/Neutral/Reverse all work except teh control operation is backwards of normal.

I know this shift rod spins around on these but do not see how it is possible for it to be misaligned and still have FNR function.

Can the shift cam in the lower unit be backwards?

Anyone have the proper procedure for lining these up, including the reverse locker?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: forward is backwared backwards is forwards

First check the motor to make sure the shift cable is connected correctly. the shift cable is the lower cable on the motor, and will move first, when throttle handle is moved from neutral to forward. if this is correct, you will need to drop the gearcase, set the motor and mercontol to the correct neutral (there are two), and reinstall. Look at the direction the upper shift rod travels from neutral to forward. Make sure the lower shift rod goes from neutral to forward, in the sane direction.

 

[outboardnut]

Re: forward is backwared backwards is forwards

Ok you are saying there are two neutrals. I am only feeling one.
What is a good way to deterimine you are in teh correct neutral?

 

[scottbeef]

Re: forward is backwared backwards is forwards

Are you sure that control ever worked with that motor? I bought a 25 merc from a guy with merc controls. And had the same issue you are experiencing. In my case I pulled apart the control box and it apeared like the throttle plate inside was on the wrong side of the pivot point. It was a pressed in part so I went to the local merc dealer and he ordered me up the correct one for something like $35. Does everything seem to work if you manually move it into forward and neutral and reverse? I would rule out the control box before digging into the lower unit of the motor.

Scott

 

[outboardnut]

Re: forward is backwared backwards is forwards

ruled out the controls
forward pulls the cable
reverse pushes the cable
no way to reverse this style that I can see
I'm thinking the linkage is misaligned or the shift cam is upside down.

 

[scottbeef]

Re: forward is backwared backwards is forwards

Thats exactly what I'm saying. On the motor I bought I do not think the guy ever used the control box with the motor. It looked like they should work fine but the same control box can work both ways. It all had to do with the cam inside the control box. Your motor might need to go the opposite way that your cables are going. In your original statement you said the motor works fine but it goes opposite way as normal. If you can shift it fine by hand and everything works fine. I would say your motor end of it is just fine. Not all motors are the same. That is why I ended up with a control box that shifted opposite to what I thought they all shifted. After comparing the inside of my box to the inside of a known to work box I could clearly see the cam inside my box was on the wrong side of the pivot point. It was a very simple 3 piece part that was pressed together. this will reverse which way the cables push or pull for forward and reverse. Are you sure that contol box ever worked with that motor?



Have the motor and gearcase been apart and put together wrong? I am trying to understand why you are so sure it is something very labor intensive and complex. If the motor shifts fine by hand only opposite to what might be considered standard. I would be inclined to think everything on the motor end of it is probably just fine. If it worked fine before I would not think anything in the motor itself would change and still have it shift fine by hand.

i have already been down that painful road. Luckily for me I Got mine figured out fairly quickly by comparing mine to a known good unit and looking up the part at a dealers parts counter.

 

[outboardnut]

Re: forward is backwared backwards is forwards

cam in lower unit was flipped around wrong....there is no way to flip around this style of controls that I could see without buying a different cam...so I flipped the cam in the lower
All is well!

 

[scottbeef]

Re: forward is backwared backwards is forwards

Awesome. Glad you were able to get it to work without spending a bundle on it. Those kinds of problems stink.

 

[bass man2]

Re: forward is backwared backwards is forwards

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I have the same problem on my '75 115 hp inline 6 merc. I have had the gearcase apart, and now forward is reverse and reverse is forward. It was working fine. I'm sure I've done something during re-assembly. What cam are you talking about, and how can I flip it? Any feedback would be helpful.