73 Mercury 850 Shifter Alignment

[dltrubisky]

"Help, just replaced water pum

"Help, just replaced water pump and bearings, seals in bearing carrier in LU. Problem is that when I put LU back on prop only turns clockwise and has a clink to it ever 1/4 turn. I figure it has something to do with the alignment of the "bullet" like part at the end of the prop shaft and the shift linkage. Can anyone help me figure out the proper alignment?"

 

[tonyob]

"Dan,

You need to remove th

"Dan,

You need to remove the lower unit and replace it properly.

When you have it off, make sure it is in neutral when you replace it. You can do this by turning the driveshaft clockwise, and rotating the shift rod to change gears.

There is a cam at the bottom of the shift rod which pushes against the "bullet". This moves the clutch dog between the gears. It is possible on some units to have this cam completely out of whack. It will turn enough so that the wrong side of the cam is touching the "bullet". You have to be sure that you have it right. If it is out of phase, the dog will not engage both gears.

Put the unit back on with the remote and the lower unit in neutral.

Tony"