'75 650 no reverse

[DDAADDYY]

Just got a rebuilt 65hp 3 cylinder from a nice gent and I'm still gettin' the bugs out. Got it mounted and running good 40:1 for two tanks to seat rings etc. takin' it easy. I had a little trouble getting the linkage setup. Got neutral in the middle now and full forward, planes real fast cool, not wide open yet of course, but I can't get reverse. The throttle winds up like it thinks it's in reverse but no gear. I remember my old '61 40hp had a little trouble with reverse too. Also the hook latch doesn't engage in neutral or what it thinks as reverse. Do I just have to spin the cylinder on the threads<br /> of the cable to push the neutral back more, or does it sound as though there's more to it. The shifter arm looks to be set right in the middle of it's throw for neutral now. Any help would be cool. other than that it's a great motor

 

[JB]

Re: '75 650 no reverse

Ahoy, Dad.<br /><br />Welcome to iboats. <br /><br />This is a forum for non-repair questions. I assume you want to repair your engine.<br /><br />I will move this to Merc Troubles.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[JeremyNeale]

Re: '75 650 no reverse

It sounds like when the leg was reattached after the rebuild the gear selection cam was not quite lined up right on the lower unit.<br />If you drop the lower unit (4 Bolts) you should be able to sort it out. The ‘Reverse Lock’ latch is pushed on and off from there too so when you line it up right both with work.<br />The only thing to watch for is getting the water pipe back in the water pump properly when you rebolt the leg on.

 

[DDAADDYY]

Re: '75 650 no reverse

Hey thanks for the tip. If there's anything you'd care to add to elaborate, I'd really appreciate it. I've since ran the adjustment as far as the threads on the cable will go and nothing. The throttle still revs higher but no gear and no hook latch. I should add I manually "Popped" the hook latch to get it to clear the tilt pin when I raised the motor once. I didn't kill it did I?<br />thanks for your time and look forward to your reply<br />Russ

 

[JeremyNeale]

Re: '75 650 no reverse

Do you have a manual for it? If not it’s best to get one ordered. It will describe to process for removing the lower unit.<br />Once you have the lower unit dropped you will see the gear linkage rod located right behind the drive shaft. The gear selection shaft runs down the leg of the engine and slots onto this. My guess is that your problem is caused by this connection being one notch out of alignment. (I had this same problem)<br />Put your cable adjuster back in the middle and drop the lower unit with the engine in neutral. Then use a pair of good grips to twist the gear selector on the lower unit towards reverse (Anticlockwise I think…). You need it as close to reverse without actually being there… Then get the whole lot put back together again and give it a try!<br /><br />I should just add I am assuming you have done all the more obvious things? You do have the right cables and control box for the engine? Have you tried disconnecting the gear selection cable from the engine and pushing it into reveres by hand (long screwdriver or something similar) while in idle and still tied to the dock?

 

[DDAADDYY]

Re: '75 650 no reverse

Hey thanks for replying Jeremy. Yes I've had it in idle, disconnected the cable and tried by hand and there's now way it is too hard to push the linkage back the last inch it could travel for reverse. I'm getting a merc manual as opposed to Seloc as I hear they are a little vague. I'm also going to hit up the guy I got it from as his backyard is a treasure chest of older mercs and I'm sure he would like to help. I have to go and work for 3 weeks (DARN) so won't be attempting anything without the manual or the guy. Thanks again

 

[JeremyNeale]

Re: '75 650 no reverse

No worries, hope you get it fixed.<br /><br />Jeremy

 

[DDAADDYY]

Re: '75 650 no reverse

Uh-Huh. Well, as it turned out it's fine. I have the motor mounted on a transom jack,(homemade aluminum angle) and the hooks couldn't engage I guess without hitting the angle. I had to cut the tilt pin as it was an oversight on installation, moved the pin to the second trim hole and lo and behold the hooks engaged and I do indeed have reverse after all. So now after my job it's fun time, waters still a little cool around here anyway. Happy boating