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1973 Mercury 4hp, in REVERSE propels itself out of water

Carl Wonderful

Carl Wonderful

New member
1973 Mercury (Marine 40) 4 HP, 2 stroke, jumps out of water in reverse. at the lowest speed, I can sort of hold it down with one hand if I stiff arm it, lol... but any throttle at all and its out of the water and isn't really even functioning at that point.

I think there is some sort of lock that should engage when you put it in reverse, but I cant find any good info on my particular outboard. Anyone have and links or diagrams or anything to help me solve this. Makes docking a nightmare!
 
This is a diagram I found that I'm 99% sure is my 73 merc.


FOX merc 4hp clamp and awike lREVERSE LOCK PARTS.jpg
 
My 4.5 has a locking system that engages when put in reverse. There is a stiff wire actuator running down from the shifter.
 
It locks against the tilt pin which is why I asked the question. ( its what the hooks grab) I have 7 of your engines from 1968-1984. That system was problematic across many years, but you start with the tilt pin!
 
fitz73222 said:
It locks against the tilt pin which is why I asked the question. ( its what the hooks grab) I have 7 of your engines from 1968-1984. That system was problematic across many years, but you start with the tilt pin!
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Hello. thanks for the response. I really don't know what a tilt pin is....? Is it listed on the diagram I attached?
Are you saying those years were problematic for this particular issue?
 
So the tilt pin is a metal rod that looks sort of like a long alan-wrench? I don't think mine has that pin. Do they fall out or are there reasons why the PO would have taken it out?

Also any idea where I can find one?
 

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If it doesn't, THERES YOUR SIGN! I really don't understand why people lose them. I've bought a number of engines with them missing. Just google the part number, they'll be tons of them on ebay. Also of note, do not ever dry shift this engine into reverse without the engines running or you spinning the prop by hand, (not running} or you risk damage to the shift cam inside the gearcase,
 
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fitz73222 said:
If it doesn't, THERES YOUR SIGN! I really don't understand why people lose them. I've bought a number of engines with them missing. Just google the part number, they'll be tons of them on ebay. Also of note, do not ever dry shift this engine into reverse without the engines running or you spinning the prop by hand, (not running} or you risk damage to the shift cam inside the gearcase
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NIce. Hopefully that does it. Do I need the spring and any other parts to go along with it?
 
Typically, lack of lubrication on pivot points can cause it to bind up and not allow the hooks to swivel up in forward gear, or not come down in neutral and reverse. With the tilt pin installed, the engine will only tilt up in forward gear and locked down in neutral and reverse. There are other considerations but I'd rather see if this works before taking the deep dive into what else it can be. Is this a fresh or salt water engine?
 
fitz73222 said:
Typically, lack of lubrication on pivot points can cause it to bind up and not allow the hooks to swivel up in forward gear, or not come down in neutral and reverse. With the tilt pin installed, the engine will only tilt up in forward gear and locked down in neutral and reverse. There are other considerations but I'd rather see if this works before taking the deep dive into what else it can be. Is this a fresh or salt water engine?
Click to expand...
Cool. Gotcha. Its freshwater. Appreciate the help by the way!
 
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