Won't shift following water pump replacement

[Helm]

I have a 1969 Glastron with a 160 Mercruiser Inline 6. The boat overheated, and of course I knew it was the impeller. I have taken it to a mechanic every time in the past, but this time I couldn't afford it, so I decided to tackle it myself. I've done very few mechanic projects so I don't have much experience to draw on.

I followed an instructional video online that was helpful. I replaced the water pump including housing, impeller and seals. The instructions said to put it in gear before removing the lower unit. After making the repairs, and reinstalling the lower unit, I planned to test start the boat. I put the muffs on and prepared to start, but I was unable to return the throttle to neutral.

I can't remember if I had moved the throttle for any reason during the process or not. I'm sure I need to remove the lower unit to correct something I did wrong, but I'm not sure what I'm going to need to do when I get it off. I can't imagine what I did wrong. I would really appreciate some advice if anyone knows what I may have done wrong.

Thanks so much.

 

[jearl]

Re: Won't shift following water pump replacement

shift fork probably not aligned. I think throttle cable to be shifted to forward position and lets the little tab slide in/out. this probably got bumped. so slide her out and orient to where it can slide in. I'm sure someone will jump on with a sticky or more precise advise.

 

[greg82255]

Re: Won't shift following water pump replacement

Go to the back of your boat, put your head at the front of the lower unit and look up toward the upper. You will most likely see your problem - there is a shift shoe that needs to be aligned when re-installing the lower, and yours is probably out of alignment. Take off the lower and re-install it with everything aligned. Also don't try to force that throttle back to neutral, you may bend/break something.

 

[Helm]

Re: Won't shift following water pump replacement

Thanks for the answer. I think I will need to look at some illustrations. Sadly, I don't know what the shift fork is, where to find it or what it looks like. I know it's probably frustrating to give advice to such an amateur.

 

[Helm]

Re: Won't shift following water pump replacement

Okay, I will look up in the upper as soon as I get it all taken back apart. Shift shoe... I'll see if I can figure out what that is.

 

[Helm]

Re: Won't shift following water pump replacement

If anyone has some instructional photos that would illustrate what I need to look for and proper alignment that would be great.

 

[jearl]

Re: Won't shift following water pump replacement

should be about a 1.25 in long by .5 in wide tab onthe end of the shift shaft hanging on the underside of your lower unit. you need to pull your lower unti back a coupleof inches place yout shifter in fortard and ratate that tab so it can slide in the shift shoe at the end of your cable. should be a rectangular about 2 inches long with a gap in the middle that the shift shaft tab can slide into.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Won't shift following water pump replacement

When the drive was separated the lower and upper halves have to be in forward when mating, as well as the shifter when you install the drive back on the boat.

To hold the lower in forward, twist the shift shaft clockwise while holding pressure ccw on the prop until it locks (forward). It must be held the whole time until the halves are mated.

The shaft mentioned above is in the 1st pic by Ziggy. The shaft in that photo mates as shown. Forward is that shaft straignt front to back.

 

[Helm]

Re: Won't shift following water pump replacement

Okay, gotcha. This helps a LOT! Thank you so much.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Won't shift following water pump replacement

That is easy. If you are jammed in forward, when you put the two haves back together the intermediate shift shaft was "off by a spline". In other words the gearhousing was in in neutral or reverse rather than in forward, and even though the intermediate ss looks correct the outdrive is in the wrong gear. How to fix: Control to WOT forward, Split the drive, turn the lower ss (short splined shaft) all the way clockwise, turn the prop counterclockwise until it locks, and bungee it in place. Put it back together. If you have to turn the prop to get the driveshaft to line up, turn CCW only Should be OK. Good luck.
You are quicker than me Eric LOL.

 

[Helm]

Re: Won't shift following water pump replacement

Thanks so much for that detailed description. I'm hoping I can get to this on Saturday. I'll be sure to post my success. Much gratitude for the information.