Alpha one stuck in neutral?

[lr3guyjoe]

I have a new to me 4.3 mercruiser. Just got the motor fired up but and now on the drive. It’s stuck in neutral. I’ve read on here that if the cable is stuck to cut it at the bellows but I can hear the cable trying to move in the lower unit so I’m thinking the selector in the lower unit is stuck?

Any suggestions?

Can I remove just the lower unit with out removing the entire drive? I’ve read the drive should be placed in forward gear before removed. Is this the same case for the lower unit?

 

[lr3guyjoe]

Disregard I think. I didn’t realize I could access the shifter rod from the front I managed to get some vice grips on it and into the neutral position.

new problem is it has some sort of security nut on one of the studs.

 

[Bt Doctur]

If it is chrome collar with a nut inside its a drive lock from Mc Gard, Search for a round ,black socket looking item sometimes attached to the motor by a ty-wrap Wait on using tools until you understand how it works and how to remove it There is no cable in the lower unit,

 

[lr3guyjoe]

Yeah that’s what it was. Had a look around but no luck on the tool. I took a chisel and peened the collar then turned it a bit and did it over and over until the collar grabbed the inner nut part and it backed off.

Got the drive removed from the bell housing. The the drive gear selector is fine. It appears to be the shifter shaft in the bell housing that is stuck.

 

[Bt Doctur]

click to enlarge