mercruiser 3.0 181

[lancaster0321]

Iv got a mercruiser 3.0 that wont go into Forward or reverse. It also quit pumping water, the book i have on the motor does not tell me how to get to the water pump, nor does it tell me how to identify what kind of out drive i have. PLEASE HELP!!!!!

 

[hystat]

sounds like the coupler on the rear of the engine has probably stripped its splines due to misalignment of engine.
feel around the flywheel - should be able to get a light and see the coupler- aluminum and rubber all over the place is what you're looking for.

You can pull the outdrive off quite easily (usually) - pull the trim ram crossbar out, remove the 6 mounting nuts on the drive, shift the gear selector to FWD and the drive slides out - then you can see in at the coupler.
the raw water pump is in the outdrive (but I doubt that's the problem)

common cause of coupler failure is soft stringers - rot allowing the front engine lag bolts to loosen

 

[chiefalen]

coupler went, drive has to come off Hy gave you the real info.

Then the motor got to come out, and the coupler changed.

1/2 ton hoist will do fine. Actually you can do it while it's hanging. I use a brace across 2 trees in my yard, back the boat under lift motor anfter disconnecting cables and wires from the motor, then pull boat out from under the motor and lower to a pallet. Change coupler inspect oil pan.

I paint everything 3-4 times rustoleum. I mean everything starter and all. The alt i tape over the screen.

Back into the boat after inspecting the stringers and transom..

You didn't post year of motor.

 

[lancaster0321]

its a 1987

 

[bondo]

its a 1987

Ayuh,... You have the M/R, or Alpha 1 drive....

 

[kghost]

1987 would be an ALPHA 1

 

[lancaster0321]

Thank you, iv tried my hardest to find out. all the outdrive says on it is mercruiser

 

[Docksidemarineservices]

It's an Alpha 1 with a 1.98:1 ratio.