mercruiser wont shift after changing water pump.

[utfisherman]

I just bought this boat and the previous owner changed the water pump in the out drive for over heating. Now it won?t go into either forward or reverse. It is a 1976 mercruiser with a ford V8. What is the best way to fix it?
Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser wont shift after changing water pump.

What is the best way to fix it?

The best way to fix it, is to first find out why it won't shift.
raise the outdrive and see if the shift shoes are connected.
If the shift shaft from the lower unit is not up in the shift shaft in the bellhousing, it will not shift.

Here is a picture of the shift shafts hooked up.

 

[utfisherman]

Re: mercruiser wont shift after changing water pump.

Thank you is this looking up from the bottom? if its not where is the shift shoes located.
Thanks a bunch

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser wont shift after changing water pump.

Ayuh,... Up under, on the leading edge...

 

[utfisherman]

Re: mercruiser wont shift after changing water pump.

thank you I will look tomorrow unless we get snow or rain

 

[utfisherman]

Re: mercruiser wont shift after changing water pump.

thank you. the shoes are going in opisite directions. I loosened the bolts and was able to get the shoes apart far enough to align them but now I cant get either one to turn far enough to line up. what do i need to do to get them going in the same direction.
Thank you very much

 

[stonyloam]

Re: mercruiser wont shift after changing water pump.

Not a problem. Push helm the control lever all the way forward. The shoe (the upper coupler) should be pointing straight ahead (forward gear). Turn the intermediate shaft (coming up out of the lower) all the way clockwise (forward gear). Is it pointed straight ahead, and does the prop lock when you try to turn it counterclockwise? If it does put a bungee on the prop to hold CCW pressure, and put it back together, making sure the top of the intermediate shaft fits into the shoe of the upper shaft. If the intermediate shaft does not line up, drop the lower unit a little farther, pull up on the intermediate shaft so that it comes free of the short splined lower shift shaft. Check to make sure there is a flat stainless steel washer in place on the lower ss (the bottom of the intermediate shaft rests on this washer). Turn the intermediate ss so that it is pointed straight ahead and push it back on the lower ss. Put it back together. Make sure the propeller stays locked in the ccw direction. Hope that was not too confusing. Good luck.