yet another mercruiser shift question

[thefishinguy]

here whats goin on. I have "all kinds" of foward when shifted into it. I measured the hole to barrel at 6" in foward and can "stand" on the prop in foward. But in reverse i have only clicking untill i pull the cable so tight that it depress the easy shift switch and kills the motor. did I over look something or am i in for a more costly (time and money wise) repair. 1973 inline 6 merc with alpha one? (just got it and haven't scraped 30 yrs of paint off serial number) was told alpha by prevvious owner

 

[chiefalen]

Re: yet another mercruiser shift question

Are you adjusting the bottom cable?

 

[thefishinguy]

Re: yet another mercruiser shift question

yes sorry that is the measure ment foe the lower cable hole to barrel.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: yet another mercruiser shift question

How old is the cable? If it's older than 5-6 years it's probably bad and needs to be replaced.Take the drive off and check the cable.Jerry

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: yet another mercruiser shift question

No harm in replacing the lower cable, but.....
When you pull the drive off, lock the drive in forward by turning the prop ccw & the shift crank cw....
While holding the prop locked, turn the shift shaft both ways, note the side to side play.....
Do the exact opposite for reverse...
Note the play.....
If there is more than 12* of play, it indicates either a worn shift crank, worn shift spool or worn clutch dog(s) or a combo of all three.....
The lower gear case will need to be disassembled & the internal components inspected fro excessive wear......
The tools for disassembly cost over $200, + the cost of whatever needs replacement....
It's cheaper to get a replacement SEI lower off of ebay.....
Clutch dogs often get worn out from improper cable adjustment slow shifting......
When you ease it into gear, rather than shifting firmly, that grinding sound is the dogs on the clutch & gears grinding, NOT GOOD!......
JMO, your mileage may vary......

 

[qystan]

Re: yet another mercruiser shift question

Assuming the cable is good.

1. Move the adjustable stud which the eye end of the cable attaches to the lowest position.

2. Follow the instruction of having someone turn the prop ccw while you push the cable in and stop when the prop catches. Never mind the 6 inches thing in the book.

3. With the trottle lever in forward position, position the barrel nut so that the cable fits into the fittings without moving the end.

4. Test the shifting and make half turn adjustments until the forward shift is positive - do not turn ore than necessary. Be prepared to do some final adjustments in the water where the prop can be loaded.

5. Check the reverse and move the adjustable stud to improve the reverse engagement.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: yet another mercruiser shift question

Good advice^^^^^^
Definately worth a try, before getting a new lower.....
You never know who was fiddling with it before....
I would install a new cable, & check the condition of the u joint bellows while I was at it.....
Hey, what time is it in Singapore?.....

 

[thefishinguy]

Re: yet another mercruiser shift question

thanks fo all the advice heres the problem. i adjusted it every way possible and nothing untill i pull on the lower cable so hard it moves the cut out switch to more then the kill position, then i get good reverse. I was told by a deck hand on the boat i'm on that it could just be junk on the shift parts/ cable where it comes into the out drive top half, not alowing full travel of the cable into reverse when pulled. what am i looking for here? and what will i see when i remove the out drive. I'm an outboard guy but with gas so high and a four stroke outta the ? i had to go inout. thanks for being paticient with me.

OH and i can also mention i used the boat 3 days last week when i first got it here in MA tuna fishing and it shifts fine as long a u shut it off before shifting for nutural. goes in good when shifted quick (no long grinds i hate that anyways) both foward and reverse when adjusted to pull hard to reverse. off shore you don't need it anyways but i want the boat to "work" right

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: yet another mercruiser shift question

http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/SERVICE/CRUISER/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf
This link is not the exact one for your drive, but it will suffice to answer some questions & give you some pics to visualize what needs to be done, especially with regard to adjustment.....
Click on the lettered sections on page seven to download the section you want to view, specifically section two.....

 

[qystan]

Re: yet another mercruiser shift question

Hey, what time is it in Singapore?.....

Its Wed midnight over here while you're at 9am on Wed.

We get to age sooner over here :-(

 

[Bondo]

Re: yet another mercruiser shift question

what am i looking for here?

Ayuh,...

A New Replacement Lower Shift Cable Kit......
For your Model 1 outdrive, which will be an Update to the Alpha 1 style Lower Shift Cable....

 

[thefishinguy]

Re: yet another mercruiser shift question

update on shift problem.

Just got around to getting this fixed since cod season is almost here. The cable and internals are all good. Hrer what it was the shift slide had an abundance of crap built up so it was not able to fully retract for reverse without pulling the kill switch. Took set screw out of end of slide and cleaned all the "salty stuff" that got there due to improper water tube oring replacement by previous owner. now has all the travel it needs and had worked great for 20 on the water hours. Thanks for all your help

 

[chiefalen]

Re: yet another mercruiser shift question

You could use some corrosion pro on the cable, with the motor off put the throttle all the way down spray the metal in the cable and move throttle.

All cables can be shot with grease, on saltwater everything you spray with corrosion pro will prolong the life of the part.

I spray all the electrical connection, motor, shift converter everything.

I shot the internals of the throttle when i first got the boat.

I shot every bolt,every screw, before re-installing the motor.

I don't ever use ever seized, never seized, whatever seized. I think that stuff makes it seize.

Than you break bolts.

Never broke a bolt that had grease on the threads.