propeller goes backwards

[sailorden]

Hi,

Can any one help. I have been working on an old glastron v143 jetflite with a 50 HP Merc 500 & a mercontrol unit.
I finished working on the boat and turmed my attention to the mercontol unit and replaced the inginition switch and the choke switch and then re assembled the unit.

then on the engine i replaced the starter motor and the solenoid.

It started ok and the mercotrol seemed to work ok (if very stiff) and the propeller turmed fast when you pushed it forward in gear but there was less play when you pushed it the lever backward but at least the propeller changed direction.

All seemed well but when i put it in the water and pushed the control forward the prop turned anti clockwise and the boat moved backwards at speed. When you pulled the control backwards then the boat moved very slowly forwards>

the guy that had the engine before me was a not a good mechanic but i think he did have the bottom unit off the replace the impeller.
Could he have connected something wrong when he reassembled or is if me messing with the mercontrol?

or is it something quite common related to something different?

any help at this point would be good. I have the mercontol in two pieces and have just removed th lower leg to see if i can fix this issue once and for all.

Help please!

Regards
Sailorden

 

[boatfloat]

Re: propeller goes backwards

im not sure, but the first thing i thought of was, did someone put on the wrong prop? there are props that are the oppisite. you have lower-unit off, stand over it, look down, turn shaft clockwise(in foward gear) watch and see if edge of prop that is closest to boat will be pulling water or pushing. it's hard to explain, but i would say, its either that or you have cables backwards.

 

[roadrash]

Re: propeller goes backwards

Im not sure with that lower unit but with a alpha 1 , after replacing the water pump i had it backwards also.When you put the lower unit on you have to hold it in gear by turing it or keeping pressure on it and if i remember right it seems your in reverse but actually in forward. Again its very possible if u have the same kind of set up.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: propeller goes backwards

When the previous guy had the unit off to replace the waterpump impeller he mis-aligned the shift rod. Not hard to take care of if you have a manual to refer to...
- Scott

 

[Chris1956]

Re: propeller goes backwards

That motor has two neutrals. If you choose the wrong one, the motor shifts backwards.

Remove the lower unit, set the MerControl to forward. Now put the lower unit into forward (prop will ratched clockwise). Now reinstall the lower unit. You may need to slightly turn the lower unit shift shaft to line it up with the upper shift shaft.

 

[trehanejox]

Re: propeller goes backwards

just had the same problem.

Like Chris1956 says, ratchet clockwise, solid anti clockwise. neutral free spin, reverse solid both directions.

I found it easier to install in reverse using a thin spanner to align the shift rod.

 

[sailorden]

Re: propeller goes backwards

Hi

I have removed the merc 500 bottom half and religned the gear selector spline on the gear shift and all is now fine from that end. I tested the mercontrol and it seemed ok so I put every thing back together.

When i started it it pops into netural, and reverse but forward is still a problem.

What is the result of switching the cables when I can get the gear lever to go forward it goes into gear and all is well.

Maybe I have broken/worn the selector cam etc in the mercontrol & i cant work out which cable goes to which side of the Mercontrol.

At the moment the cable which is connected to the 'warm up' level goes to the gear selector and the cable which is connected to the half of the mercontol with the ingintion wiring etc goes to the throttle. Is that right?

I think the mercontrol is worn out because its so hard to put all these bits back together. Should i just get a new/recon one and go from there?

any remarks that can help me?

Regards
Saillorden

 

[film495]

Re: propeller goes backwards

What do you mean the propeller goes backwards? Usually there are multiple places you can connect the shift cable to the control, based on orientation. Maybe you are actually shifting into reverse? and just need to check the connection of the cable to the control. The instructions usually read push/pull, but that means the direction of the cable motion - not the direction you move the control handle. It is usually opposite.

 

[sailorden]

Re: propeller goes backwards

Hi all

Its fixed. As some of you suggested the cables to the Mercontrol cams etc were the wrong way around.

I must have switched them when I replaced the ignition switch and the choke button!

Learning points : (1) Always mark cables when you take them off and don't trust on memory (especially when you get a bit older!).
(2) I have learned a lot about the lower unit, gearbox, drive shafts and outboards in general!

Thanks to all, for the suggestions!
A great forum!
And now its time to get into the water and enjoy the summer!
Thanks
Sailorden