1961 Mercury 500 diagrams and resources, forward gear only

[seraphter]

Hey friends, I recently acquired a 1961 merc 500 for free and I brought it back from the dead.
Compression was good so I cleaned carbs, set points, fixed pull start, rewired what I could.
It seems to run really well!
...in a barrel that is.

Trouble is, it won't shift out of forward gear so I have a date with the lower unit...
I've been having a hard time finding much info on this motor though.

Does anyone have some advice before I break into a 60-year-old gearcase?
Does anyone have a link to a lower unit diagram for this model/yr?

Cheers!

 

[seraphter]

After finally removing the gear case cover with a dremel metal cutting blade (it wouldn't budge with a pin wrench), I've finally made it to the first bearing and hit a road block. I don't really see any way to grab it.

Does anyone know how to best remove the reverse gear and its bearing without any special tools? It's not the regular through-exhaust carrier that I'm used to. I don't think a regular puller will be able to fit in there but hoping someone knows these beasts.

Here is a link to the prop shaft and gear case diagram for this yr/model:
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/m...-housing-assembly-complete-merc-500m-e-page-2

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Faztbullet]

Put prop and propnut back on an yank it out.

 

[racerone]

Propshaft should just pull out now.

 

[seraphter]

Thanks for your help! The restoration continues…
Now the driveshaft - I’ve removed the pinion nut but the impeller cup seems to require a special tool. Anyone have a tip to remove it?

 

[racerone]

You put the driveshaft in a sturdy vice on a bench.-----Use a 2X4 and a hefty hammer and drive the gearcase away from the vice.-----Unless it is severely corroded it should pull out.-----Pouring boiling water on the water pump cup area may help loosen it up.----Any pictures of reverse gear and clutch dog ?

 

[seraphter]

Brilliant. Thanks! I’ll give it a shot.