Where to buy Reverse Lock Cam? and other repair woes.

[kyle_white]

I recently inherited a '66 Merc 650. It ran for an hour and then stalled and couldn't be started. So far I've opened it up and found the compression on the cylinders to be
1 - 90
2 - 30
3 - 90
4 - 0!!!
I dread opening the powerhead (and the cost of new gaskets), but will do that and the carburetors later.

I also took off the lower unit and noticed that the water pump gaskets badly needed to be replaced. The gasket below the face plate is stuck to the water pump housing base and I can't get the base itself out (I'm afraid to pry too hard).

The centrifugal slinger was brittle and broke when I tried to remove it, and the reverse lock cam was broken into two pieces.

I'm new at this and so am open to suggestions, and have already found some useful information on the forums. My biggest question for now is where can I get a replacement reverse lock cam for the lower shift shaft? I can't find one anywhere online (oldmercs.com, iboats.com, sterndrive.info), and don't know if I've even seen a "reverse lock cam" available anywhere.

 

[diaric]

Re: Where to buy Reverse Lock Cam? and other repair woes.

worry about your powerhead first. in the process you might find a doner with a working reverse lock. you'll find most are broken and i've looked but never seen one available. i have the same problem with my 66 500, next time i remove the lower unit i'll see if i can figure out a way to manufacure a replacement outta some threaded rod. the boat mechanic i deal with has part motors, but all of them had a broken lock too

 

[kyle_white]

Re: Where to buy Reverse Lock Cam? and other repair woes.

So you just use the engine without the cam or with the broken cam? I've heard some reference to metal replacements for some older reverse lock cams but have no idea how to find the right one. BTW, what does the reverse lock cam do? I assume it either maintains alignment of the shift shaft or prevents certain (damaging) shifting?

 

[diaric]

Re: Where to buy Reverse Lock Cam? and other repair woes.

it locks your engine down in reverse. otherwise it will lift outta the water when you throttle up- without it you can just go a bit above idle in reverse. in forward gear, the engine will lift if it bottoms out or strikes an object, as its unlocked, if you look at the tilt pin, you'll see where it grabs it too lock down

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Where to buy Reverse Lock Cam? and other repair woes.

Item 46A at this place:
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...&bnbr=17&bdesc=GEAR+HOUSING+ASSEMBLY,COMPLETE

Also mercurypartsexpress.com has the cam. Part number 43308T1

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Where to buy Reverse Lock Cam? and other repair woes.

Also you probably need this:
http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfind...gd_poid=110876&gd_row=46&**********=330892889

 

[kyle_white]

Re: Where to buy Reverse Lock Cam? and other repair woes.

Thanks Diaric and ricksrster! So now I know where to get it and that I can run the engine without it to do tests. Now I just have to get at the powerhead and check the pistons . So far I've broken the two bolts I tried to remove and need to buy a 1/4" bolt remover for my drill. Not a good start!!!