1973 starcraft- wont go into reverse???

[170freedom]

I have a '73 starcraft chieftan. mercruiser 165 in/out. I have fully adjusted the forward/reverse cable as to the oem mercruiser manual. HOWEVER- I can disconnect the cable at the gimbal houseing, and while the engine is idling hooked up to muffs, I can by hand move the cable to engage forward with no problem. I then do the same for reverse, when I pull the cable all the way until it stops, the outdrive is not fully engaged. The cable is new, and the outdrive is a fresh rebuild. It would appear to me, that somehow I am unable to get full motion out of the linkage??? Any help is appreciated- thx in advance-

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1973 starcraft- wont go into reverse???

Might be a worn shift spool, you can make this tool to check the operation.
page 1C-42 in this link
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6C1R3.PDF

 

[170freedom]

Re: 1973 starcraft- wont go into reverse???

ok, thx for the info. I just realized that my cut out switch on the shift cables on the gimball housing is not hooked up. Any idea on where they connect to? They must interrupt the ignition coil some how. I dont know how this switch not killing the engine for a fraction of a second might be my problem. But it is there for a reason.