1966 Anacapri Alpha 1 Gen 1 Shift issue

[i_build]

I have the Seloc manual but the odd thing is I cannot find what looks like my shift plate in the manual. The book references shift plates mounted on the engine somewhere but mine is mounted on my transom and lays flat at a 90* angle straight out from the transom. Regardless of orientation or mounting none of the images in the book show the interrupt switch where it is on mine so I'm a bit skeptical on what the manual has to say...

She shifts a bit firm and goes into forward with no issues, neutral most times with a little giggle and up until today reverse wasn't a problem however now when I shift into reverse... its almost as if I'm in neutral just revving the engine.

The information I read makes me a bit intimidated to touch anything especially since I cant find a match to what I have.

Don't know where to start? Don't want to just start throwing money at it without diagnosing. If someone is familiar with this and can give me some tips / debugging procedures I would greatly appreciate it.

She has a couple hundred hours on a rebuilt GM 250 & SEI Alpha 1 Gen 1. Replaced the water pump, and gear lube a few months ago.

Thanks in advance.​

 

[i_build]

WOW!!!! Thank God for HD cameras I didn't catch the fact the cable coming from the control box is fastened with a worm clamp. What the heck!!! The PO said he was a marine mechanic in Miami for years????

Now the question is how should this be mounted?

And apparently the shift interrupt switch is there for decoration cause it seems like the mechanism to push and engage the switch is MIA... guess that's why he said keep the idle down to 650.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Doubtful its a Alpha1 , more like the older MC1 . If you have 2 hyd lines going to each cylinder you can update to the newest shift plate but you will need to change the rams and the hyd pump to a late model one.Manula 1 is whats needed

 

[i_build]

No hydraulic lines going into those fittings. The drive is an alpha 1 gen 1 (SEI's version) but I think you are referring to the shift plate as shown in the pic.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have the Seloc manual

No, you have a Seloc knee pad. Look here for on-line version of the mercruiser manual http://162.144.28.33/lib/library.html#

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Life will get better, once ya know what yer workin' on,....
The Only thing Alpha ya got is the Outdrive,....
Yer motor, 'n transom assembly appear to be the original MC-1 components, 'n an Alpha 1 drive was slapped onto it,....

If the hyd. lines aren't hooked up to the switch plate, God only knows how the trim system was cobbed up, or up-dated,...

By the looks of yer 1st picture, ya need a new shift-plate, 'n probably Both new cables, as they look pretty crappy,...
'n what does the trim pump look like,..??
If it ain't been up-dated, yer gonna have problems there too,.....

 

[i_build]

Trim pump appears to have been updated. I haven't had any issues with that.... there's a separate reservoir tank and solenoids off to the left but I didn't get a pic of that. I saw a few posts that lead to dead links for the mercruiser manual I will keep searching.

Other than it being a shift plate that seems to be badly retrofitted, and considering that it was functional for a year until that bad use of a hose clamp gave way, is there a particular reason why you say I need a new shift plate?

I was going to fab up a stainless bracket to fit over the shift plate stud (where the worm clamp is) and allow the barrel nut to be held stationary and adjusted. The barrel nut for the shift cable going to the drive mounts over the other shift plate stud and is solid. The shift cable coming from the control box is the one "worm clamped" on at this point.

SORRY didn't see the link you posted for the manual I will search there. Thanks.

BOY was the Seloc a knee pad is right!!!! That online manual is the ticket! Thanks

 

[Bondo]

is there a particular reason why you say I need a new shift plate?

Ayuh,..... Because the shift switch is Gone,....
'n Alpha drives, Absolutely NEED a shift switch to work properly,....

The switch for yer shift plate is NLA, 'n the Fix, is a new shift plate,...

 

[Bt Doctur]

You have a alpha drive with MC1 trim cylinders. If the trim pump is the newer one and the trim tilt now works correctly all you need is a new shift plate. I should have a new one, PM me.In the first pic there is the reverse lockout valve. If there are no lines connected to it you should be able to just mount the new shift plate and connect the cables or replace the cables

 

[i_build]

Thanks Bondo... I understand. Also noticed that the shift cable going down to the outdrive is the one that is hose clamped... not the cable coming from the control box. Sent PM to BT Doctur... Thanks guys.

 

[i_build]

Here are where the hydraulic lines would have gone I assume.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... That's the old reverse lock valve part of the old shift plates,....

 

[i_build]

I disconnected the shift cable wanting to make sure that I could get the drive in reverse by manually pulling on the cable. My boats is on my lift so I hoped out onto my dock and used my boat rod to spin the prop but it didn't lock. So I jumped back in and pushed on the cable all the way in expecting forward gear then hoped out and spun the prop with the boat rod and no forward. Is this a valid test or do I need another person to spin the prop as I keep tension on the shift cable?

UPDATE I put the muffs on her while on the lift and I was able to get her into forward and not into reverse by pulling and pushing on the cable so it looks like I need a shift cable.