Lower unit question

[lbuck]

82 Starfire with Mercruiser 228. Just purchase the boat. The previous owner had just changed the impeller. Here's the question... When in nuetral, you can spin the prop clockwise but there is a "Click" that you can feel in the prop. Counter-clockwise it locks so I know its in gear. My question would be do you think that the lower unit wasnt re-assembled right after the impeller change. I know you have to make sure that its in forward as you re-assemble it. I was just wondering if I should be looking for any other problems.<br /><br />Thanks,

 

[liner85]

Re: Lower unit question

With the shift lever in Forward, it is normal to be able to spin the prop clockwise, with clicking. Shouldn't spin counter-clockwise. This is due to the fact that the teeth on the clutch and forward gear only engage in one direction (similar to a ratchet). With the shift lever in Neutral, you should not feel any clicking when spinning the prop in either direction. If so, some degree of shift cable adjustment may be necessary.

 

[lbuck]

Re: Lower unit question

I figured that might be the case. Right now the throttle lever has alot of play in it. The lever moves pretty far forward before the engine responds. How hard is it to adjust the cables?

 

[tommays]

Re: Lower unit question

if your in neutral and you have clicking then something is wrong<br /><br />the throttel is going to move 1/4 to a 1/3 of its travel to put the boat into gear and then it will start to open the carb<br /><br />there is nothing to come out of adjustment when you do a water pump only things that might be done wrong<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[lbuck]

Re: Lower unit question

Thanks for your thoughts. This is a new project boat for me and I dont have all the history on the boat so I am trying to cover my bases. I have only fired it up on the trailer on muffs and the throttle linkage concerns me. I want it right before it hits the lake. I dont mind towing someone in but I HATE being the one towed in...

 

[lbuck]

Re: Lower unit question

I am beginning to think that when the last owner replace the impeller he didnt have it in forward gear when he reassembled it. I will be dropping the lower end this weekend to check his work. It feels like its stuck in forward gear.

 

[lbuck]

Re: Lower unit question

Got the lower unit apart and rebuilt the impeller again to be sure. Put the whole assembly together and everything seems to be working much smoother. Only problem now is that when I put it in either forward or reverse the engine dies. No grinding so I dont think it the outdrive engaging. Maybe the Neutral switch?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Lower unit question

sounds like the shift cable is binding and triggering the shift interupt switch. remove the lower shift cable from the transfer block. it should slide easily with 2 fingers in and out of gear while someone rotates the propshaft. if not its usually the cable is bad. usually due to water intrusion of the shift slide pocket from a bad upper shift shaft seal.

 

[lbuck]

Re: Lower unit question

How hard is it to replace the shift cable? My mechanic quoted about $70 in parts and 2-3 hours labor. I'm mechanically inclined but dont want to get in over my head if its a tough job.<br /><br />Thanks,

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Lower unit question

It isn't hard at all, if you pay attention to the instructions. The cable probably costs a little less than $70.00. I really doubt if it would take an experienced mechanic three hours to do it. Sounds a bit high.....I say do it yourself, you will save $ down the road just by learning to pull replace your drive on your own....JK

 

[lbuck]

Re: Lower unit question

What are the odds that when I reinstalled the lower unit I missed the gear alignment? If I have it misaligned would it cause the engine to cutout when I tried to put it in either forward or reverse? I want to explore that before I spend the $$$ on replacing the shift cable. Is there anyway I can test this before dropping the lower unit again?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Lower unit question

Here's a great site with details to many of the projects you are wasking about:<br /> "How Do I....?"