For the gearheads out there I've got an interesting situation. I have this motor which I've used for a couple years and the shift lever works opposite if what it should. When the lever is forward I go backward, when to the rear I go forward. I have removed the lower unit thrice and reinstalled it with care, using the manual and having a technician supervise. Each time it appears to be right until we start it and run it and it is backwards. I can't say if its been this way for years but I think it has. Do you suppose womeone might have moved the shift rod in the lower gear sometime and would that /could that move the rod to where it would work backwards? Has anybody run across this before?
TinBoats.net
The original aluminum boat site!
1969 Merc 7.5 Shifting issues
- Thread starter blufrog1
- Start date
Help Support TinBoats.net:
MrGiggles
Well-known member
I would say something has to be backwards between the shift lever and the rod that hooks to the lower unit.
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2016
- Messages
- 6,746
- Reaction score
- 3,633
- Location
- Northern California
- LOCATION
- Northern California
No problem. Just turn the seat 180 degrees. Should be facing towards the pointy end. 
Can you eloborate a little.I’m not sure what part you are referring to when you say seat. I’m guessing I need to pull up the shift shaft and rotate then reinstall in the lower unit gear???No problem. Just turn the seat 180 degrees. Should be facing towards the pointy end.
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2016
- Messages
- 6,746
- Reaction score
- 3,633
- Location
- Northern California
- LOCATION
- Northern California
I sincerely apologize. It was (another) poor attempt at humor.
I wish I could offer advice. The situation you describe is head scratching. I hope there is an easy fix.
It’s been this way for some time and I just got my hands on a slightly 87 newer Johnson 15 so my interest has been diverted for now. It is puzzling though and I would like to resolve it eventually.
MrGiggles
Well-known member
My first thought was that maybe someone had fooled around and put a LH prop on it, but I suspect a LH prop for a 7.5 probably doesn't exist, I don't know why anyone would need one, so not likely.
I'm not sure if this is even possible, would need to see a diagram to know, but perhaps someone has had the lower unit apart in the past and put the shift cam in backwards or upside down.
Could also be in the linkage between the shifter and the shift lever under the powerhead.
I'm not sure if this is even possible, would need to see a diagram to know, but perhaps someone has had the lower unit apart in the past and put the shift cam in backwards or upside down.
Could also be in the linkage between the shifter and the shift lever under the powerhead.
RaisedByWolves
Well-known member
If it’s anything like the 20hp from that era I worked on this is the problem and the whole lower needs to come apart to fix it.
If the shift rod gets lifted when removing the lower unit the shift cam goes awol and disassembly on the lower is required.
Appreciate all replies. Have decided to table this issue for the time being. After refreshing the newer Johnson I picked up I believe I will tackle the lower unit to see how the linkage might have been installed backwards.
RaisedByWolves
Well-known member
Thread I made on this problem and a video showing my issue.
https://www.tinboats.net/threads/79-merc-20hp-no-neutral.47747/
You will need a special spanner to remove the bearing carrier most likely. Take the prop off and see if there are bolts or a threaded splined ring holding the guts in the lower.
