1972 Mercury 500 (50hp 4cyl 2stroke) reverse lock removal

Hi.

I have 1972 Mercury 500 which has been in salt water for years. Hooks from reverse lock have rusted away, how do I remove them?

I already removed the pin that secures the hooks to their shaft but the shaft is stuck, is it just WD40 and bigger sledge?

Yup.But I would try a dremel or small angle grinder,tilt the engine up,cut the inside.

You need to be careful with the hammer I have found power steering fluid works best for dissolving corrosion between metal and aluminum. Lots of chemicals heat and time are your best friends. Take it easy with the BFH (big friggin hammer) parts for those motors can be hard to find and real expensive.

Yep.

My problem is in steel-steel corrosion, the shaft moves freely in aluminium.

On the bright side, boat is not ready yet, so I just keep spraying penetrating oil...

What has happened is that numbers 48 and 46 in this parts diagram http://www.marineengine.com/parts/m...4140999-usa/clamp-and-swivel-bracket-assembly have corrosion welded together.The two cotter/split pins are probably rotted as well.If this has been a fresh water motor,you may have a chance with a penetrating oil.Salt water,IMHO,not a hope.
But give this a try,spray plenty,leave it a day or so,heat,sit with a punch and hammer,a 16oz.will suffice and hit with a steady rhythm,I got lucky.It took a while but it did drive the pin out.Tip,wear a glove on the hand holding the punch,doesn't hurt as much when the hammer hand gets tired . Otherwise a fine hacksaw blade,cut between the hook and bracket. http://www.ebay.com/itm/56349-Shaft...m33716d6e1d:m:mC7ma4ATNUYFc9RgzwMSeRQ&vxp=mtr http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-MERCUR...ash=item35f484d0be:g:3FMAAOSwo6lWMknB&vxp=mtr
The pic is of my '69 Merc800,which was fresh water until I got her,a couple of months after salt water immersion,even though I wash her down with a hose after being out.