Lower unit stucki n gear.

[MikeW_Tx]

Ok, I needed to change the impeller in a newly acquired 78 Black Max 175. So I followed the advice of a thread on this board featuring pictures and very easy to follow instructions.

I put the control in forward gear, removed the lower unit, changed the impeller and reassembled the motor.

Hooked up the garden hose, started the motor and noticed a vibration immediately. I let it idle while I walked back and had a look. It was in gear, so I killed the engine, checked the linkage and it looked like it was operating properly. Restarted the motor and moved the shifter back and forth a bit to see if it was just a linkage problem. No such luck. It was not having this issue before the impeller change.

So, its only been about 20 years since I changed a Merc impeller, I would imagine I have forgotten something pretty simple while putting it back together. Any help would be appreciated as I want to avoid a trip to the mechanic (and the embarrassment ;) )if possible.

Thanks.

[rickriddle]

Does it go into reverse?

Sounds like you may not have lined the splines up from the linkage rod that runs down to the lower unit when you put it back together.

[MikeW_Tx]

Does it go into reverse?

Sounds like you may not have lined the splines up from the linkage rod that runs down to the lower unit when you put it back together.

No reverse. No neutral. I pulled it back apart and discovered that I had missed the tube for the shifter linkage. So I finally got it in the tube and it is moving the linkage now, but still only forward. So I would imagine that anything that could be out of alignment, is. I just need to know how to re-align everything.

Thanks.

[david martin]

Put the lower unit into neutral,Put the shifter into neutral and slide the lower unit back into place.You are not dealing with an inboard outboard to where you need the drive in forward to pull it.You can turn the slined shaft left or right on the lower unit and turn the prop,if the prop turns free both directions then that will be your neutral.Hope this helps,if not personal mail me and I can walk you through it on the phone.
David
What part of Texas are you in?I have family in Conroe,TX. I can have my brother come fix it if you are local to Conroe.

[MikeW_Tx]

Put the lower unit into neutral,Put the shifter into neutral and slide the lower unit back into place.You are not dealing with an inboard outboard to where you need the drive in forward to pull it.You can turn the slined shaft left or right on the lower unit and turn the prop,if the prop turns free both directions then that will be your neutral.Hope this helps,if not personal mail me and I can walk you through it on the phone.
David
What part of Texas are you in?I have family in Conroe,TX. I can have my brother come fix it if you are local to Conroe.

Ok, I am going to give that a try in the morning. :)

I live in Canton, 2-3 hours north of Conroe 70 miles E of Dallas.

Thanks :cheers:

[rickriddle]

Just make sure the splines lineup when it goes together and do as stated above this should correct the problem.