1969 Merc 1000 Shift Shaft Position

[NJCinMN]

Hello all,
At the controls, in the water I've got forward and neutral working properly but reverse doesn't seem to fully engage. When shifting into reverse the prop spins opposite way but just revs up, almost like neutral. Prop also changes direction on muffs in driveway. I've adjusted the barrel stop for the cable all the way back but the arm on the shift shaft is hitting the powerhead. Is the shift shaft off a few teeth in the lower unit and not leaving enough room up top to allow shift into reverse? Where should the arm attached to the shift shaft be positioned to fully engage forward and reverse? Thanks.

 

[Doug Redinger]

Re: 1969 Merc 1000 Shift Shaft Position

I have a 1963 Merc 850 and have experienced that same problem. Make sure lower unit and shift control are both in forward gear when you install lower unit. Turn shift shaft with a pair of pliers( prop should spin clockwise when you turn the driveshaft clockwise as viewed from above) and leave shift shaft at this position. Make sure shift control is pushed as far toward forward gear as you can get it (sometimes I use a rubber bungee to pull the shift lever on the side of the motor just a little bit more than what the remote shift lever will move it). Now reattach the lower unit and check it again.

 

[NJCinMN]

Re: 1969 Merc 1000 Shift Shaft Position

Thanks for the insight Doug.
I probably won't get to this immediately as the summer is short enough and I have plans to use the boat most weekends from here on out. I can manage well enough with the "weak" reverse I have now. I'll definitely drop the lower unit at the end of summer and try your suggestions. I need a new impeller after this season anyway. Thanks again.