I messed up putting my lower unit back together after the changing water pump. It was binding when I was drawing it up wit the nuts. I droped it back down to check it. The shift rod in the lower unit rotates 180 but doesn't do anything. I have the preload pin type shaft in a 1979, 175v6 mariner. How bad did I mess up?
Thanks,
Nemer
Not familiar with that engine. When you say you have the preload pin type shaft, are you talking about the spring loaded cam follower that moves the clutch dog between the gears? If so the front end of that system is very simple.
The shift shaft is splined on both ends (on most Mercs I have been into anyway and if it works, why not use it in all/most applications). One end protrudes from the top of the LU and the other end is embedded in a cam which is rotates to do the shifting. The cam fits into slots in the aluminum casting. The spring loaded cam follower protruding out the front of the prop shaft follows the 3 detents in the cam which are of different lengths thereby allowing the clutch dog to connect to the rear of the F gear, ride between R and F, or engage the rear of the R gear.
Putting vertical pressure on that shaft, if misaligned could either bend the shaft, break the casting that holds the cam in place, or break the cam. Been a long time, but as I recall the cam is made out of either bronze or steel and much harder than the casting, as is the shaft itself.
Nothing holding the shaft in place other than on some engines the bushing assy at the top of the shaft which laterally supports the top of the shaft, couple of retainer screws , below the seal has to come out first. Being splined it just slides into the cam's spline.
I'd pull that shaft out first and have a look at the cam end of it. Take it from there.
Mark
I'd pu
