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This is last try to repair headache

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mitch_houser

Contributing Member
I've posted before and recieved alot of help.Well I need more, in the pics you can see the shaft from the top with the control lever conected,That rod goes down to another rod at the end of it was a 75.00 coupling with splins that where wore down so bad they would'nt move the shift shaft in lower unit.I've bought a new coupling and installed it.With that rod installed you can shift with the levers and it will turn splin or two enough to move shifter in lower unit but with L/U installed it won't hold .You can shift with lever it will turn upper rod but lower won't move.I need to know how to get the upper rod out so I can take a look at where they connect to fix it.Steps would work for me alot thanks Mitch
1968 Mercury 50hp s/n 4043524
 

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Hi mitch_houser,
I think there is something wrong here.That number is not '68,it's for a '74. And Chris is right,you'll need to remove the powerhead to get that shaft out.
 
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Hey no clue i just read your name slow for 1st time lol.anyway what ever it is thats the number and yr he gave me so thats what ive been ordering parts from so far after a water pump,carb kits and a shaft rod coupling everything has worked..And sad to say yes the power head has to come off will start tomorrow I think the engine is junk the guy who had it before him took him on the deal and so have a couple dealerships around here .I'm doing my best to help him out.But I've got you guys to help also so thanks alot.God bless each and everyone sound like tiny tim now
 
I replaced my shift rod in a different outboard by cutting it below the top bracket. The top section slid out form under the powerhead and the rest of the shaft fell down (remove gearcase before starting). My outboard is a short leg unit, so using the shift rod from a long leg unit, I cut it in two also just below the top bracket, then drilled and tapped (cut a new thread) the bracket before cutting to length and tapping (also cutting a new thread) the new shaft. Reassembly was a simply task of applying threadlocker to both parts and winding them together in place (hold new shaft up inside leg and position bracket on the top). I had to make a minor adjustment to the linkages controlled by the shift cable as the splined union wasn't quite at the correct orientation as the old one would have been. If you can get the powerhead off then do that, if not this may be one option to getting it going again. It was a lot cheaper than replacing the outboard.
 
It's not as big a deal as it looks to lift the power head.If you have a hoist or winch,great.Makes it a whole lot less strenuous.You will also need the Mercury lifting eye,$30 or there abouts.If you have a couple of buddies at hand when the lift is needed,no need for the eye. Slow and easy,and you will need a new exhaust gasket.
I hadn't a clue about outboards when I found this site,it saved me a stack of €uros,hundred 'n' eighty mile round trip to a Merc tech.And didn't know any outboard backyard mechanics at the time,know plenty mechanics now. I try to save people like me the few bucks but I do get it wrong now and again. You know the old saying,"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing". Well that makes me very dangerous indeed:D:D,I know a little about a lot and a lot about nothing
 
Are you sure we are'nt brothers.I can tear stuff apart and fix it with the best of them I always say if its broke you can't hurt it.Thanks for the option but I really think I will go with power head removal.And the drill and tap idea is a good one and yes I'm a machinest so I've done it more times then I can count .And I think I will get the head off tomorrow (was going to do it today but helped brother fix his truck) anyway I can take shaft to work and mod it anyway I need will send pics of it (only if it works lol)So what all gaskets will I need after head is taken off?????
 
"if its broke you can't hurt it" I like that.I get lost when it gets to circuit boards and is newer than 1985.And I'm still the right side of fifty.:D
You will need an exhaust plate gasket only.
A couple of inches of 1 1/2"x 1/8" pipe with a 16 thread will make you a lifting eye.Good luck
 
Well it wasnt as bad as I thought .Since I've had things apart a few times I was very comfortable taking the power head off took total of 2hrs to drop L/U take the wiring apart labeling everything took a few and had to make sure I put all those wires back in right hole .But all and all not a bad thing to do when I pulled shaft out it would'nt hold my ass in place it was totally loose but I'm going to work tomorrow and we will take care of it .I'm going to spot weld thsoe shafts together at the coupling that now hold them with a little flat and two little 10/24 set screws on each side of it I've looked at the new coupling that fits over the shift shaft and if something would happen to it again I know I can get it off from the bottom neddle nose vise grips little heat and it will come off.Well I got gaskets ordered today will be here Friday so back together and out to lake Sat for test run woooooooo hooooooooooo.
 
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