1960 Merc400 shifting problem

[Arawak]

I'm having some problems shifting my 4 cyl 1960 Merc 400. When I got it last year I dropped the lower unit to replace the impeller (see: Thread: 1960/61 Merc 400 shifting problem (no reverse locking cam?) ). Last week I got it all hooked up again, started her up, but when I put it into reverse it went forward.

Removed the shift cable and shifted it manually into forward to take it for a test run up the lake. Could not get it more than about 1/3 throttle.

Now, I'm not sure if I have the cables connected correctly, but when I put the controls into forward, it pulls the shift lever on the motor forward (towards the bow), and when I put it in reverse it pushes the lever backwards.

When the shift lever on the motor is forward, putting in gear, the prop spins in the forward direction, but I am limited to about 1/3 of the full movement of the throttle lever. When the shift lever is aft, the prop is in reverse gear, but I have full range of throttle.

This sounds to me like I have the gears reversed on the lower unit when I put it back on. Anyone know on these motors which way the shift lever moves to be in the forward and reverse gears?

 

[henkvd]

Re: 1960 Merc400 shifting problem

Drop the lower unit a little bit and align shift lever to the same position as the lower unit.

It's normal throttle is limted in reverse position (at the moment your forward)

 

[merc850]

Re: 1960 Merc400 shifting problem

Take the lower unit off and use these instructions:
Turn the shift shaft by hand counter-clockwise until it
stops - then with Vise Grips tight on the bottom of the shaft turn it a
few more degrees CCW until it clicks into a stop, this
should be neutral - check by turning propshaft --
do not shift into reverse unless you turn the propshaft at the same time.
If it is in N go ahead and attach LU to driveshaft housing with control in N.

 

[Arawak]

Re: 1960 Merc400 shifting problem

Thanks for the replies folks. Seems my Dad spent the day messing with it and hit paydirt. What worked for him was to put it in reverse, drop the lower unit, move the shift lever forward, then the lower unit slid cleanly back into place. Now shifts into forward, neutral, and reverse correctly, with full throttle in forward and limited throttle in reverse. As expected, the shift lever moves towards the back of the motor for forward, and to the front for reverse.

 

[henkvd]

Re: 1960 Merc400 shifting problem

On old mercs de shift lever is mounted horizontal in neutral, up is forward, down is reverse