Need help with lower unit install

[bpd119]

1987 Mercury 50hp 3 cyl. I took the lower unit off without problems, installed the new water pump without problems and not cannot for the life of me get the lower shift rod to line up with the upper shift rod. #1 the upper shift rod just flops around so its a pita to get it to stay straight. i used a putty knife to get it to line up. also i played around with the throttle to get the splines to line up but it just will not go in. any tricks to this or anything i can take pics if you need to see what im talking about . but the evinrude i did the entire shift rod came down, not on this mercury only about 3 inches come out

please help

 

[Laddies]

Re: Need help with lower unit install

First put the lower unit and shift lever in reverse gear, when the unit is down look at the bottom of the swivel tube and you should see the shift shaft going down to the lower unit, with a small pair of needle nose pliers you should be able to reach in the narrow gap and move the shift rod around to help get it started. I have seen a couple that there was no room for pliers that took a couple of pieces of wire loped in opposite directions to move the shaft where it has to be.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Need help with lower unit install

Wierd, not to high-jack your thread by my '86 merc 50 doesn't have a shift rod, just a copper water tube and vertical drive shaft...funny thing that.

Ian

 

[saumon]

Re: Need help with lower unit install

I have to see this...

...and how are gears shifted?

 

[bpd119]

Re: Need help with lower unit install

so reverse is a better bet? it seems as though i have the splines lined up but i must off by a hair. i will just keep trying, but its really frustrating.

 

[saumon]

Re: Need help with lower unit install

If you look at the front of the driveshaft housing (the "leg" on wich you try to bolt your lower unit), is there's a small (like 1") opening or notch where the shift shaft is exposed? If so, simply grab it with a pair of pliers and gently turn it while pushing on the lower unit.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Need help with lower unit install

I have to see this...

...and how are gears shifted?

There is a very small shaft, that has no free play, it also releases the rod that holds the motor in place (trim) on mine as I don't have hydraulic trim...I believe the lower unit was redesigned in '87....sorry for the high jack.


ian

 

[bpd119]

Re: Need help with lower unit install

i know what you mean about grabbing the shift rod and moving it around i move it to the right place but it just wont slide in like i said i just cant get them to go together, i am going to try again today