1981 MC-1 mercruiser 120 package 1981 four wins shift issues reverse intermittent

[merc120_81]

1981 MC-1, I am having intermitent issues shifting into reverse. It works perfectly, or sometimes, it seems the throw is longer on the control, and it really fights going into reverse.. (grind/rattling). I have replaced the lower shift cable last year, boat is fresh water used, garage stored and trailered. whats killing me is its intermittent. could it be my controller and cables are just shot? seems when it has issue, the throw to reverse is further than normal. thanks

 

[merc120_81]

i feel so alone lol.. so anybody on symtims or feasability of warn out lever mexh or warn shoft control cables?? boat is 40 years old. can anybod recommend shift cable replacement.. or ay least any to avoid

 

[thumpar]

I would go through the lower shift cable adjustment to make sure everything is OK there first.

 

[kenny nunez]

Disconnect the lower shift cable, push it into forward gear then have someone hold some resistance against the propeller.
gently pull the cable toward neutral and measure the amount of slack. There should be very little. Refer to Achrist video on how to adjust the cable. If there is a lot of slack in the cable movement then you need to find the source.

 

[Lancer76]

I used Achris' video on shift cable adjustment and found it to be exactly what I needed. I, too, have an MC-1. Link to his video is here