mercruiser 470 stuck in gear

why2boats

Cadet
Joined
Jul 22, 2010
Messages
6
So here I am, a new-to-me 1977 Crestliner Crusader 775. Picked her up this Monday (july19) and have been cleaning her up, changing oil, waxing etc... She's a sharp boat, all red except for topsides and in GREAT shape. Could not pass it up. Red hull, interior, and flooring with white topsides. 470 merc and I can't wait to get her out on the water, until today.... I have had her running in the drive the last two nights with no issues and decided that even though the oil change was from this year that I would put new SAE30 in the pan and then cycle the outdrive through forward and reverse a few times before putting her in th water the first time. Better to make a bad in the driveway right? Wrong. After going into forward gear and applying some throttle, it will back down in RPM but will not release back to neutral. This is my first boat with a mercuriser, the last have been OMC, and I am not sure if this is a shift mechanism or cable/linkage issue. I have 2 manuals and am equally confused.....I would love a little help. The throttle has a pull knob to go to neutral and seems to be stuck now. The previous boat I had, you had to actually pull the throttle towrad you to get neutral. So, like I said, I am not sure what is the next step. All I know is that the motor runs sweet, has about 70 psi of oil pressure, and is ready to hit the water if I can keep myself from killing my family.
 

Bifflefan

Commander
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
2,933
Re: mercruiser 470 stuck in gear

On the engine port (left) side there is the shift interrupter. Take the lower shift cable (top one) off there and see if you can get it out of gear. If yes the issue is in the main shift cable or the controller, if no then you have a problem with teh lower shift cable or the out drive.
This will give you a starting place.
 

why2boats

Cadet
Joined
Jul 22, 2010
Messages
6
Re: mercruiser 470 stuck in gear

By lower do you mean from the shifter itself? The cables seem to be on a horizontal bracket where they meet the stern.
 

Bifflefan

Commander
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
2,933
Re: mercruiser 470 stuck in gear

On the left side of the engine at the shift interrupter, there are two cables, one goes to the out drive and one to the controller. remove either one and see if you can shift it out of gear at the shift interrupter.
 

why2boats

Cadet
Joined
Jul 22, 2010
Messages
6
Re: mercruiser 470 stuck in gear

I'll check it out tomorrow - hopefully the rain will stop! THANKS!
 

why2boats

Cadet
Joined
Jul 22, 2010
Messages
6
Re: mercruiser 470 stuck in gear

Disconnected both cables and the prop spins freely both directions but with a slight tick - I suspect it is not totally dis-engaged. However, the neutral release pin on the controller still will not pull out with the throttle straight up in the neutral position and the controller is only actuating the throttle cable. Shift cable does not move nor does the linkage to actuate it on the controller. So, it seems as though something interbal to the controller is the culprit??? Disassemble and start the disection????
 
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