Alpha 1 no reverse

[mb7]

Hi everybody,

I am new on the forum
I have a 1986 mercruiser 3 .0l alpha 1
I did the impeller and pump on my lower unit (alpha one 1st gen) and I did the process (remove with shifter FW and put back holding the prop CCW ... )

So , after all done, the reverse didn't work , so I lower the drive again and I notice the gears works fine out.

I can hear the reverse gear try to engage while is running , but won't. (with muffs) seems like is missing the extra little push on the shaft

I check the bracket adjustment and looks fine ( engine side)
I am thinking the shaft inside the upper drive, where the cable is conected to the shaft needs adjustment

I don't know if it was working before
The drive gear works while is out I can switch manually FW and Reverse
Do you think the prop need some load to engage the reverse gear?

Thanks everyone I am learning a lot with this forum.

thanks

mb7

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Alpha 1 no reverse

Drop the lower unit again, be SURE that the throttle/shifter is in Forward gear.

Double check the shifter 'foot' on the top front of the lower unit is perfectly straight forward while the LU is in forward gear. Ensure that you did not inadvertantly re-index the foot even oone spline off of dead center when in forward gear.

Gently, maintain CCW pressure on the prop as you reinstall the LU. even the slightest LACK of pressure may allow the shifter 'foot' to turn out of the straight forward position.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Alpha 1 no reverse

If the LU linkage is correctly indexed then disconnect the Intermediate Shift Cable at the engine bay linkage and manually push the cable IN, check to verify that the LU locks into Reverse. shift the Throttle Lever into Reverse and compare the cable mounts to see which cable has stretched and needs replacement.

DO NOT attempt to adjust the cable travel to make the LU shift as a stretched cable will fail again, often rounding off the corners of the engagement dogs on the shift slider and the gears.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha 1 no reverse

I am thinking the shaft inside the upper drive, where the cable is conected to the shaft needs adjustment

I don't know if it was working before

Ayuh,... There Ain't no adjustment there....

My WAGuess is,... The Lower Cable is Shot,+ needs Replacing...

 

[mb7]

Re: Alpha 1 no reverse

I open the drivers upper portion, and a very old grease + dirt + oxidation +....


all of that, was making the shaft not to move to the end

Clean it all and now works perfect.