1976 Mercury 650 Thunderbolt

[TheOutlawJoseyWales]

I have 2 seperate issues going on: The 1st issue is that the motor raises out of the water when going in reverse. The lock that locks the motor down when in forward/reverse no longer locks. Lower unit was taken off to replace the water pump by a part-time mechanic and perhaps something was disconnected. 2nd issue is that my motor, which used to run absolutely fantastic, no longer wants to idle correctly and I have to idle it while holding down the choke button. It will purr like a kitten while I hold that button down, when I let up it begins to sputter, shake, and kill. To get it out of the water I need to release the choke button, then tap it a few times which gives the motor some gas, then finally it comes out of the water, at which time I could go all day with no choke on and no problems - that is until I go back to idling speed in which it kills. What is wrong? Carb dirty? Adjustment messed up? Choke in the wrong position? On first issue does lower unit need to be dropped again? Could the two be related based on what mechanic did?

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: 1976 Mercury 650 Thunderbolt

There is a reverse lock cam on your shift shaft and its sounds like your part-timer didn't put it back on correctly. When you shift into reverse, the lobes on the cam raise a rod that locks your clamps on the transom mount. Its an easy fix, but you have to drop the lower unit again and align it properly. I'm assuming you don't have a power trim?