1983 Mercruiser in forward at helm but neutral at the outdrive

[msu_sports]

I have taken my outdrive apart several times before to replace bearings, seals and water pumps. This time I replaced the water pump. I get everything back together and just as you need to have the drive in forward to remove it I have it there to reattach it. Everything goes together fine but when I hand turn the prop it is in Neutral when the control box is in forward. I have pulled it back apart 3 times trying to figure out what I have missed but am at a loss. Any suggestions?

120 Mercruiser engine and drive. 1983 I believe. Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1983 Mercruiser in forward at helm but neutral at the outdrive

I have taken my outdrive apart several times before to replace bearings, seals and water pumps. This time I replaced the water pump. I get everything back together and just as you need to have the drive in forward to remove it I have it there to reattach it. Everything goes together fine but when I hand turn the prop it is in Neutral when the control box is in forward. I have pulled it back apart 3 times trying to figure out what I have missed but am at a loss. Any suggestions?

120 Mercruiser engine and drive. 1983 I believe. Thanks

Ayuh,... My guess is, it's slippin' into neutral as yer puttin' the lower unit on...

I use a bungee strap to hold tension on the prop shaft...

 

[Don S]

Re: 1983 Mercruiser in forward at helm but neutral at the outdrive

Raise the drive up and see if the shift shafts are together or apart. If not, you may have forgotten to put the flat washer on the shift shaft bushing.

 

[msu_sports]

Re: 1983 Mercruiser in forward at helm but neutral at the outdrive

Raise the drive up and see if the shift shafts are together or apart. If not, you may have forgotten to put the flat washer on the shift shaft bushing.

Shift shafts are together. I did use the bungee trick I read about in other threads. With the outdrive off I get positive lock on forward and reverse. Could this be a shift cable issue? I had no shifting issues prior to replacing the water pump.