Merc 950SS 95HP question

[Justaboatin]

I have a 67-68 mercury 95HP 950SS on a project boat I just bought. I have a couple of questions.<br /><br />1. I had the lower unit off, it appears that someone has replaced (maybe) the tube that takes the water from the water pump up to the top of the motor, the one in my motor is brass and looks "home bent". Is the factory "tube" brass? and what is the actual name of this part?<br /><br />2. Also the motor was not shifting into reverse, when I had the lower unit off (to check out the reverse issue) I turned the shifter shaft with a pair of pliers to see if I could get it into reverse. But I forgot / didn't pay attention to the factory location turn when I took it off. So now it does not shift into fwd or rv, any suggestions to set the shift shaft back to normal?<br /><br />3. The motor starts and idles with no issue's and all 6 cylinders have around 95 - 100 PSI each, other then a water pump what else should I look for to ensure that it is a "good" motor?<br /><br />Oh ya, no water was found in the lower unit oil, <br /><br />Thanks in advance, any information is helpful.<br />Scott

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Merc 950SS 95HP question

The water tube can look home made. It's brass.<br /><br />Turn the shift shaft all the way around till you find neutral. then install it with the shifter in neutral.<br /><br />Make sure you decarb it, and run mid-grade gas. Max spark advance at WOT on that oldie is 34 degrees.<br /><br />-W

 

[Justaboatin]

Re: Merc 950SS 95HP question

Thanks!!<br />One other question,<br /><br />When I turn the shift shaft all the way counter clockwise it goes into gear and I turn the prop counter clockwise (reverse) the drive shaft moves, Then when I turn the shaft clockwise it goes almost 3/4 of a turn then stops and is in neutral, but I can't seem to get into another gear. Is something possibly wrong? or am I turning it too far?<br /><br />Also the two plastic pieces that go with in the lower unit on the shift shaft I forgot how they go. There is a piece with "ears" and a Male type piece.<br /><br />Is the compression ok being it is kind of low?

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Merc 950SS 95HP question

Decarb it and it may come up a bit. <br /><br />You need to turn the shift shaft all the way around past one way or the other to find true neutral. And it can't go into reverse properly unless someone is spinning the propshft.<br /><br />Those two pieces are for the reverse lock. No easy way to verbally explain them. <br /><br />-W<br /><br /><br />-W