I recently purchased a 20hp 1978 mercury. When I put the motor in forward gear the clamps dont release. The motor wont tilt unless I pull up on the clamps. Following the reverse link rod down I noticed the plastic reverse cam lock is shredded. I found a replacement on ebay. How hard is it to change this piece?
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20HP 1978 Mercury Model 200 Reverse Lock
- Thread starter Kier
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onthewater102
Well-known member
I have an 84 20hp mariner, dunno how much they changed since 78 - but there is a wire retainer at the top of the shift rod that should have a washer around the shift rod when the lower unit is changed. the previous owner lost this washer in the course of hardcore f'ing up the impeller replacement so I couldn't release the reverse lock with the shifter until I pulled the lower unit and replaced the washer.
Attempt number 1. I tried to remove the clamp and swivel base. It was a failure. It looks like the shift rod goes through the swivel. The schematics do not show this. It now appears I have to remove the midsection from where motor sits.
onthewater102
Well-known member
Your instructions say to remove the lower unit - why are you messing around with the swivel bracket?
