Merctrans shift linkage and selonoid???
 

I did a post a while back regarding linkage and the plunger for reverse/lock I believe it is. I just converted over to manual shift brackets and mounted that piece where the two oil lines go. When manually shifting the plunger never moves in/out as the cam rotates from shifting on the trans.

If I recall someone said this is for a reverse lock out or something. Problem is when I bolted it up it never moves. Do I have something hooked up wrong?

Tks for any help. I just don't want issues when engines are in boat.

Pics
 

Other pic

The plunger does not ride directly on the cam. There is a small lever that rides on the cam and the plunger sits on top of the lever. Lever pivots on a bolt directly to the front of the cam, towards the engine. It's probably just hanging there pointing straight down right now. Gonna have to remove or at least loosen the lockout assembly and swing the lever around in place. You'll want to put some grease on the cam also for the lever to ride on.

That reverse lock out valve has a check ball in it that restricts the flow of fluid when in reverse so the drive won't pop up. If you can remember, don't ever work the trim when in reverse. You will just be causing a lot of unnecessary pressure going on in the trim system.

Also riding on that cam is a neutral safety start switch. Lot of boats use one installed on the throttle/shifter at the helm so you may not need that switch hooked up. All depends on how your boat is wired.

All info on that tranny is covered in Mercruser Service Manual #2

Tks for your help. I will look a little closer in the morning. I recall last thread a few months ago you mentioning that it doesn't ride directly on that cam but not looking at it at the time it went right over my head. I should be able to figure it out if I look closer as I was in an awkward position earlier while mocking it up. I will make sure it's greases good. I cleaned it off earlier when I was trying to see if the plunger came out further plus I wanted to use new grease anyway as the old was firming up a bit.

It's gonna drive me nuts now til morning cause I can't believe I missed seeing the lever your referring to. I do recall when taking the electric shift assm off last year there was pressure on the plunger. Just hope I didn't lose anything. I have neutral safety in throttles so will eliminate the one on the trans to keep it clean.

Tks so much for your help. Will let you know how I make out I the am

Does the lever look similar to the natural safety switch/metal prongs

No, it is a solid aluminum piece. It is very short and right next to the cam. You will see the 7/16" hex bolt head there that it pivots on.

Often if the shift linkage is not in reverse when installing the reverse lock valve, the undue pressure will snap the cam follower in pieces. If you need one, I will throw one in a envelope and send it to you...no charge....I have hundreds... www.kcmarinetr.com

Thank you all for your help. I rolled engine/trans into a little better light and there it was staring right at me. I was anticipating the worst and with the help of you here I found the obvious lever. It was hiding behind a wire loom. Greased all up and engine going in tonight with hopes of clearance its evil twin will be next. Thought I'd post a pic in which case someone ever comes across the same. Appreciate all the help. Feel much better with engines going in not having to deal with any unknowns.
Tks again
John

Thanks to picklenjim I prevented potential bearings and seals going out of the trans. I had engines with trans mounted for over a year now waiting til I was closer to get the boat in paint. Along with the help of getting everything in place for the the reverse lock etc he also sent a pm and made note many with same set up forget to install pilot bearings in the crank especially with new engine installs or even rebuilds with perhaps new cranks.

So yes I had to pull both trans, plates etc and install today. A very easy thing to miss especially if your not familiar with this ancient set up. I was able to remove the pilot bearings from old cranks which were in great shape not with a micro puller but the old school way with pumping grease inside behind the bearing until completely full and air free. Then drove a dowel in through the pilot hole and after a few refills with grease they popped out.

Only posting this for future boaters on the board who maybe facing the same thing at some point. Some times little things can be easily overlooked.

Tks again
Glad I caught the pilot bearings before I installed engines.

Pic
 

Pic of pilot bearing from original engine

Wires
 

Not sure where the other neutral safety wire goes. Ground?

John...Are you planning on using the neutral safety switch on the tranny? If so than one of those wires go to the negative post on the slave solenoid and the other wire goes to ground. That switch works by breaking ground to the slave solenoid. In theory you would then be breaking power on both the positive and negative sides going to the slave solenoid when in use with your throtle/shifter neutral safety switch also. If you choose to eliminate the neutral safety switch from the tranny than you will need a ground wire from the ground post on the slave solenoid. Then you will just be breaking power on the positive side at the throtle/shifter neutral switch. What's up with the pic of the purple wire???

I plan to use the shifter ones however in which case they don't work I just thought I'd hook these back up. If the shifter ones work which I would expect they would then can I ditch those selonoids and extra wiring?

You mean the neutral switchs on the trannies??? You can but as I said you will have to put a ground wire to the post on the slave solenoid.

Yup were on the same paid.

Just for everybodys information. The original 23-71647 bushing, is of course nla. The cross is a National PB50DHD. The OD with have to be turned down to 1.706". Without the bushing, it can be oil pump suicide.. www.kcmarinetr.com ... Also; The 85789a2 manual shift conversion kits are getting quite rare. We are in the initial stages of production i,e.. Working on the electronic file. Probably going to make them out of Delrin

That's good information. thanks for posting and update. Appreciate that. I will undoubtably put these to the test this summer with new power. With new Gatling trans coolers and driving sensibly along with routine oil change I'm not worried. If I wipe one out here and there so be it. Might have to ease up on the reentry a tad also.