castle nut???????

[ebear]

1986 merc 140. alpha1 o/d converted 3.0Lx
I've had this for 11 years, It used to shift fine [long time ago]now a days I can either get forward without grinding slowly into gear or adjust it back to get reverse the same way. It has a new shift cable,all parts are working freely, no water or metal in the gear oil, motor shut down switch is working and all fine adjustments to make the throw of the shift cable as long as possable have been done.
Does this lead you to believe, it could be the castle nut or am I missing somthing else
thanks guys,your the best

 

[chiefalen]

Re: castle nut???????

That a oem cable or after market?

 

[Don S]

Re: castle nut???????

it could be the castle nut or am I missing somthing else

The only castle nut that I am aware of is the one that holds the prop on, and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with the shifting.

Have you followed the shift cable adjusting procedures exactly? (found in the OEM service manual #6)

 

[ebear]

Re: castle nut???????

The cable is oem,and adjusted to specs,
poop I cant find the post that refered to it but the jist of the post was that in the mid 80s mercruiser didn't harden it enough causing it to prematurly wear and cause play in the shift assembly. My memory serves me to say this part was on the right side of the shift spool#46 on the exploded view

 

[Don S]

Re: castle nut???????

In service manual #6 go to page 1C-41. It explains how to isolate what's causing the excess play. Making the degree test tool is on 1C-46.

 

[Bondo]

Re: castle nut???????

Ayuh,...

I'd think your problems are more likely to be focused in the Bushings between the cable,+ the lower unit...
Or maybe the spool in the lower unit....

 

[Fishermark]

Re: castle nut???????

The cable is oem,and adjusted to specs,
poop I cant find the post that refered to it but the jist of the post was that in the mid 80s mercruiser didn't harden it enough causing it to prematurly wear and cause play in the shift assembly. My memory serves me to say this part was on the right side of the shift spool#46 on the exploded view

Is this where you read it?
castle nut

 

[ebear]

Re: castle nut???????

Yep thats exactly where i read it ........Man you ARE good. I'm going right now to see if i can't isolate it .......thanks

 

[ebear]

Re: castle nut???????

yep, it is the lower unit, Next question, I have a good 1997 lower unit, is it compatable with a 86 upper or how much if not all of it should I replace to match up with the 97 lower? [I picked up a 97 garbage boat with a pristine 140 in it]

 

[Don S]

Re: castle nut???????

Nope, not compatable. The 97 drive is a Gen II, the 86 isn't.
If you have the whole boat (engine and all), why not replace the whole thing.
The Gen II drives are much nicer.

 

[ebear]

Re: castle nut???????

well than I guess I'll just run it till it breaks n replace the whole thing then.........thanks guys