1980’s 50 hp Mercury - Reverse Lock Repaired - Motor Kicks up in Reverse

[@alano2875]

I got an old boat with 1977 Mercury 50 HP...engine was stored raised 15 years...I put it down and now it is stuck...I hope I didn't break anything shifting the motor while not running... Hoping that latch pivots are just frozen up (latch pivot seems really tight) and/or there is a spring problem... Your video was really helpful.

[@LivetofishOutboardRepair]

@alani2875… I’m glad the video was helpful. Good luck with your Merc 50.

[@alano2875]

I got 'er unlocked. Lock Pivot was super tight...I hit it with some penetrating oil and worked it free...really thick enamel or powder coat was all lifted by a thick rust scale...making things even tighter. Cleaned it up best I could and hit it with some black rustoleum... probably good enough for a season or two. Thanks again...

[@danielrobert7181]

Great VERY informative video but boy, Iuckily you had access to another motor assembled right cause otherwise identifying the way to hang on that spring could have stayed a mystery. Your duck hunting friend sure owes you one. When is he taking you out hunting again ? LOL

[@LivetofishOutboardRepair]

Daniel … Your so right. It was very lucky to have that 80 hp to use as a reference. I couldn’t find any information other than a few drawings on the web that really didn’t help. That’s why I decided to make the video to show how it was assembled because it really was a mystery. The owner became a friend after he contacted me to work on several of his motors. He’s a great guy and invited me duck hunting next weekend. I can’t wait to go again. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate your comments. Take care.

[@naisaechao4176]

Really informative video thanks. But my question is. I just bought a 1979 sea squirt center console and it came with the original 1979 mercury 40hp outboard and I can’t get it to unlock when it’s in neutral or forward. It have the spring on it. it’s not rusty. It have play on it. The only way I can tilt the motor up after I get out the water is to pull the pin out. What do you think the problem is?

[@LivetofishOutboardRepair]

Nai Saechao … I would say you should drop the foot and take a look at the reverse locking cam on the shift shaft. It’s possible it might be worn out. I have a video for a 1973 40 hp Model 402 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rafLpYiqeZ2tjpY it shows an example of the reversing lock cam for this motor. Yours may be different without knowing the exact model number. The original reverse locking cam was made of plastic and actually broke into pieces. The replacement part was made of steel. As I stated this 402 Model and may be different than yours.

[@chrismaples3131]

If I have misaligned my lower unit shifting cam would that also cause the reverse mechanism not to lock?

[@LivetofishOutboardRepair]

Chris Maples … yes, if the cam is not installed correctly it will not allow the reverse lock to function properly.

[@chrismaples3131]

@@LivetofishOutboardRepair do you happen to have a picture of how it should look correctly installed? And should it be put in in forward or neutral?

[@LivetofishOutboardRepair]

Chris Maples…. Check these videos out it should be able to help answer your questions to correctly install the cam if this is the correct type for your motor. Part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a17Qep1phq6oedU Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHOTfWR8bcqfebM

[@ezequiel3342]

Hi, next video?

[@LivetofishOutboardRepair]

I’ve had a few come out since this one. I’m not sure but I’ll be working on a 75 hp Mercury that I plan on showing soon.