Mecruiser 80 stuck in gear.

[spearman]

Recently pulled the lower section of stern drive to replace water pump housing. When lower was reconnected to upper, prop now remains in gear even though I can see top of shift shaft move through all three positions when using remote shifter in boat. I was told that I need to disconnect lower from upper and get both, boat remote shifter and lower shaft position in neutral and then reconnect. I currently have the lower off but I can't tell where neutral is. I can move the shaft and can feel tension where I think positions are changing but when I move prop, the main drive shaft in lower continues to turn. Is it supposed to? How can I tell when I'm in neutral?

Spearman

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mecruiser 80 stuck in gear.

Someone told you wrong. You need both in forward. While you CAN do it with both in neutral, as you notice, it is much more difficult. With both in forward, the process is straightforward. Don't forget the washer under the intermediate shift shaft.

THIS ASSUMES YOU STILL HAVE THE UPPER INSTALLED ON THE BOAT AND ARE SIMPLY PUTTING ON THE LOWER UNIT.

 

[spearman]

Re: Mecruiser 80 stuck in gear.

Thanks for the response. Yes the upper is still attached and all I need to do is connect lower to upper. If I understand your statment regarding washer, there are currently two on the lower section shaft, one neopreme and one metal. As far as getting both in forward gear, the remote shift is easy enough, but how do I know for sure the lower shaft is in forward gear? I read that I should turn the lower shaft clockwise till it got hard to turn and this is forward gear. Is that correct? If so, is it clockwise standing in front of leading edge of lower or standing behind lower, closest to prop?

Spearman

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mecruiser 80 stuck in gear.

Clockwise looking down at it from above. Turn the shaft clockwise and turn the prop counterclockwise. The prop will lock in place. You will need to make sure the prop keeps some pressure on it to keep it locked into forward gear. A bungie cord works well - or even a little duct tape!

 

[bryanhughes]

Re: Mecruiser 80 stuck in gear.

After reading what you said..that's what we did. We have it stuck in gear. what went wrong?

 

[spearman]

Re: Mecruiser 80 stuck in gear.

Thanks Fishermark! i just got the lower reconnected and taking break. I hope this works and I can now shift gears once again.

Spearman

 

[spearman]

Re: Mecruiser 80 stuck in gear.

Fishermark, just thought I'd let you know that the shifting problem is fixed. Boat now shifts just fine.

Thanks for you help!!

Spearman