Reverse Shift Lock keeping me from engaging reverse gear?

[auscarter12]

I have a 1971 model Mercruiser 165 with a Series 1 out drive. The drive has a reverse lock system. I had the rear shift cable replaced a few months ago and out of the blue I have not been able to engage reverse. Could my reverse lock assembly be the culprit? I find it hard to believe that after 2 months of minimal use my shift cable would fail...

 

[alldodge]

Not an expert with the reverse lock, but from what I've been reading found either the cable adjustment has moved or there is damage in the drive. Disconnect the shift cable and see if you can get the drive to go into reverse but moving the cable. If shift by hand does not work need to remove the drive and see if it can be done by the shift foot.

If it does go into reverse need to check your adjustment, manual section is below

http://boatinfo.no/lib/mercruiser/manuals/mercruiser1.html#/106

 

[Fishermark]

If I'm not mistaken, the reverse lock has to do with the hydraulics of the trim and tilt system and has nothing to do with the actual shifting... so you have other problems as AllDodge suggests.