Hi, I'm wondering if someone can help. My MercTrans II does not engage back to neutral. Could it be a pump issue or a control valve issue? I'm a mercruiser 454 mark IV and TR drive. The engine will turn on when in neutral, but the transmission stays in gear. Thanks.

More info..
will it shift into reverse?

The MTii uses friction plates for FWD gear, and a band to engage the reverse planetaries. Best I can recall,, it requires pump pressure to ENGAGE the clutches..

Give as much info on the behavior. .
Can you reach the shifter lever on the transmission? If so, remove the cable and move it by hand - with engine off, does it move freely, do the detents feel distinct? With motor running, d escribe what happens when you move the lever by hand...

It shifts to reverse, but when shifted to neutral it stays in reverse. It will shift to forward and when shifted back to neutral it stays in forward. I removed the shift cable and cleaned the shift linkage. With the engine off the shift link feels very loose. With the engine running you can feel soft resistance. I think I need to rebuild it, but parts are hard to find. Do you know where I can buy a seal kit? The other issue is that I can't find anyone in RI who works with this transmission.

I believe it's a pretty basic transmission. (transmission 101) Anyone transmission shop should be able to rebuild it. You could probably do it yourself if you ordered the parts.

It can be very hard finding parts though, especially if the disc needs replacing.

I have some parts, gerotor pumps, complete seal kits, clutch’s and the rebuilding tools for Merc trans.

I believe the majority of the parts are Ford FMX transmission parts.

The friction parts are Ford FMX parts, but I wouldn't go so far as saying "most parts" are...

Cig28 says he has parts, so check w him.

The behavior of the trans doesn't necessarily suggest the need for a "rebuild". Sounds to me, it's more of a somwthing loose or worn in the shifting link inside. Something between the cable attachment arm and the actual spool valve that directs the fluid flow in the shift valve.

The shift portion of the trans does 2 things.
In neutral a valve blocks flow of hydraulic pressure to the clutch pack. In Forward OR Reverse, the valve directs pressure to the clutch pack.
The second thing the shift portion does is mechanically tighten down the reverse band.

Go ahead and drain the fluid (ATF Type F).
Remove the shift control portion (no need to pull the motor). I suspect a linkage problem or an O ring problem.

do you have a good Merctrans II 'shift motor assy' ??