Lower unit ?

[keithmylum]

I have 1971 40hp mercury 400m. It has been sitting in a barn for the last ten years. I am currently going threw checking everything I can, figuring out what needs to be replaced and how much it's going to cost before I actually start spending money on it. Here's where I'm at. The stator has to be replaced because it was corroded. I have to buy a new prop because it did not have one on there. everything else seems to check good. Did a compression check and 125 on one side and 130 on the other. Now I am trying to figure out if the lower unit is in good working condition. On my merc control with gear handle straight up my spindle spins both ways with a clicking noise, when I come back 15degrees it spins freely both ways with no clicking and remains that way when I pull the merc control all the way back. When I put the merc control 15 degrees forward it locks in place and will not turn counter clockwise but clicks clockwise and remains this way all the way forward. From what I understand this is what it's supposed to do for forward, but reverse is not engaging. the shift cable looks a little rusty going into the engine, do y'all think it stretched some and this is why reverse is not engaging? It looks like it has room to be pushed backed about an inch inside the motor where it actully moves the gears.am I correct for thinking forward gear locks ccw and clicks cw? And one more question is reverse supposed to lock both ways or lock just cw and click ccw?

 

[keithmylum]

Re: Lower unit ?

I have 1971 40hp mercury 400m. It has been sitting in a barn for the last ten years. I am currently going threw checking everything I can, figuring out what needs to be replaced and how much it's going to cost before I actually start spending money on it. Here's where I'm at. The stator has to be replaced because it was corroded. I have to buy a new prop because it did not have one on there. everything else seems to check good. Did a compression check and 125 on one side and 130 on the other. Now I am trying to figure out if the lower unit is in good working condition. On my merc control with gear handle straight up my spindle spins both ways with a clicking noise, when I come back 15degrees it spins freely both ways with no clicking and remains that way when I pull the merc control all the way back. When I put the merc control 15 degrees forward it locks in place and will not turn counter clockwise but clicks clockwise and remains this way all the way forward. From what I understand this is what it's supposed to do for forward, but reverse is not engaging. the shift cable looks a little rusty going into the engine, do y'all think it stretched some and this is why reverse is not engaging? It looks like it has room to be pushed backed about an inch inside the motor where it actully moves the gears.am I correct for thinking forward gear locks ccw and clicks cw? And one more question is reverse supposed to lock both ways or lock just cw and click ccw?

Still looking for help on this one thanks, or a good thread on it. I have read a lot of conflicting info on this subject. Thanks again.