76 Mercury 1150 Lower Unit Install

[jvriffel]

This thing is giving me fits. I removed it to install a new water pump and as it turned out a lower exhaust seal. All that went without a hitch until it came time to put it back on the motor. I can get it on except that last 1/2 or 3/4 of an inch. I've read thru 80 pages of these forums and have had the lower unit on and off countless times. I guess I just can't seem to get the lower unit and the motor in the proper gears. I removed it with all in neutral. Since then I have tried forward and neutral or so I think. I've read that I should try it with reverse so hopefully that will work tomorrow.

This thing has whipped me ragged so far. Unless there are other suggestions please? Is there a sure fire way to tell what gear the motor and the lower unit is in. It seems no matter where I set the lower unit I am always in forward gear. Spins clockwise with the click. I have found neutral once, freewheels both ways. Anyone wanna lend me a hand in central missouri?

Thanks in advance much appreciated

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: 76 Mercury 1150 Lower Unit Install

I think you'll find things to look for in this thread:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=319202

Once you find the neutral detent...leave it there. Very small rotations of the shift shaft in either direction will cause it to shift in fwd or reverse. Make sure the powerhead shift shaft is also in neutral at the helm, then retry.

Doesn't matter what gear its in, but neutral seems to be favored.


.

 

[jvriffel]

Re: 76 Mercury 1150 Lower Unit Install

I've pretty much given up and will be taking this to a repair shop. I've not been able to get it at all and now that last 1/2 inch I went ahead and pulled up with the bolts and have ruined the sleeve that connects the shifter from motor to lower unit......./sigh it wins this time

What is this sleeve called?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 76 Mercury 1150 Lower Unit Install

That would be the shift shaft coupler. They are pinned onto the shift shaft. I think you need to pull the powerhead to get the upper shift shaft out. It could be worse, you could have ruined the crank splines.