1986 Mercury 90 hp inline 6 shift problems after impeller change, HELP!!!!!

[ab59]

Hello everyone, it's been a while I know but life gets in the way sometimes. I changed the impeller on my little 90 hp tower of power the other day, and when putting the lower back on, it will not shift out of forward gear. What I did from the start. Not my first time replacing an impeller on this motor. I put the forward lever all the way forward, engaging forward gear. I Pulled the lower, installed a new water pump and impeller, mounted the lower back on the motor and it won't shift out of forward gear. I lowered the unit an inch or two. I then took an 11/32 inch wrench and turned the shift spline at the lower all the way to the right and re aligned everything and pulled it back into position, making sure everything lined up. Again still in forward no matter were I put the gear selector at. I have repeated this process no less than 8 times because everything I can find on this procedure says that this will correct the problem. But it does not!!!!! I just can't figure it out. What say those of you who know???? thanks----

 

[racerone]

Try lower unit in neutral.----Control in neutral.-----Clutch dog is spring loaded,----Make sure lower stays in neutral when assembling.

 

[ab59]

Try lower unit in neutral.----Control in neutral.-----Clutch dog is spring loaded,----Make sure lower stays in neutral when assembling.

Thanks for your reply. I can not seem to locate neutral on the lower. I have two other lowers as well but there does not seem to be a neutral on any of them either. I must not understand how this lower shifts. The only time it appears to go into neutral is when I use a wrench and hold the spline all the way to the right, loading the spring, and when I release the tension, it goes back to forward gear.

 

[racerone]

hurry to a shop and have it installed in minutes.----Might save you some $$$ in my opinion.

 

[ab59]

hurry to a shop and have it installed in minutes.----Might save you some $$$ in my opinion.

No money for that. This should not be a problem and is not the first time I have replaced the impeller in this motor. But it is the first time that I have had a problem that should not exist. Besides, the nearest shop is over 40 miles away. This is just something simple that I am not seeing. I will keep asking until I find someone who knows. thanks

 

[racerone]

I have done this job numerous times as well.----Nothing to it.

 

[ab59]

I have done this job numerous times as well.----Nothing to it.

So I guess just telling me to turn the gearbox spline to the left until you hear and feel it click into neutral was not on the menu?? I don't think very clearly anymore because of " treatments" I cannot believe how something so simple can be such a pain in the lower backside.

 

[racerone]

I believe the shift rod rotates COUNTERCLOCKWISE to get neutral.------Or rotate it counterclockwise till the spring resists.----That is forward.-----This should be easy to solve,

 

[Chris1956]

CCW is the correct direction. The gearcase should click into and lock in neutral. I use a crescent wrench to turn it gently CCW into neutral.

 

[ab59]

CCW is the correct direction. The gearcase should click into and lock in neutral. I use a crescent wrench to turn it gently CCW into neutral.

yep, I figured that out and use an 11/32 wrench. I had been moving the spline up against the spring but was afraid to put a lot of pressure on it. But, out of frustration I went ahead and pushed hard enough to make it shift to Neutral. I put everything in Neutral and put the lower back on but now it shifts very hard and is still not right. After I replace the neutral safety switch under my Tundra, and finish applying water seal to the deck, I will drop the lower again and reinstall and hope it is right. I was so relieved to finally get the lower into Neutral and I though that I finally could finish this 30 min chore. lol. Wishful thinking . Odd thing is this is not the first water pump that I have replaced on this motor, but never had any kind of problems as this. Guess I needed a lesson or two.

 

[Chris1956]

Make sure the shift slide where the shift cable attaches is in the center of the slide's travel, when in neutral. Make sure the splines on the upper and lower shift rod mate properly.

 

[racerone]

Motor should be running to shift from neutral to reverse.----Or prop should be turned to shift to reverse.