1983 3.5hp Mercury outboard

Schnidly · 19 May 2015, 20:10

Dear Forum,

I am hoping someone can answer this question on my Mercury 3.5hp 2cycle outboard. The serial number is: 6298133. I believe it is a 1983 or 1984. Anyways, there is a shifter on the side of the engine with what appears to be 3 positions. I see the forward and the neutral positions, but can someone please tell me what the third position is? There is a symbol on the cowling, but I have not seen a marking like this concerning the shifter??

Thank you,

Schnidly

paintman · 19 May 2015, 20:33

Reverse?

Schnidly · 19 May 2015, 20:43

I thought it to be reverse too, but when I had it running moving the lever to the aft position did nothing. The shifter will not stay in the rearward position as it springs right back to drive, forward. The forward most position is neutral, the middle position is forward and the rearward position does nothing. Looking at a diagram, there is no reverse gearing in the parts diagrams.

paintman · 19 May 2015, 21:24

I see from another forum that you've recently bought this motor. Have you asked the seller yet?

You are also looking for a thrust hub 70588 which the parts list says is obsolete and no longer available. 1984 Mercury Marine Mercury Outboard 1003224 GEAR HOUSING (PROPELLER SHAFT) Diagram and Parts
With old outboards parts can be a major problem. Best bet is to try ringing long established outboard specialists or breakers & seeing what they've got. Or look for another engine & strip for parts.

Can I suggest you post some pics of your engine to help?

uncle al · 20 May 2015, 18:18

if you have the thread in the vent fitted with a he-coil, it would be safer to strip out the gear housing, and you would require a seal set, its doable without stripping though.Depending what you find. It might be cheaper to buy a complete gear housing, (new?) or secondhand. If my memory is correct there are two gear lever positions, in gear and a nutruel,you turn the whole OBM 180degrees to either go fwd or backwards.