Alpha one engaging gear

[neilmw]

have noticed that when engaging gear either forward or reverse there is a clicking sound from the drive just before the comforting clunk, the only reason my inexperienced brain can come up with is that the shift cable may need adjusting or this is normal, had the boat a year now and has always made this noise, even before the drive was rebuilt.

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha one engaging gear

I doubt if the cable needs adjusting, they don't just "Go Out of adjusment".<br />If the cable is getting stiff, it may take longer to get into gear. Do you have the electric shift on your setup?

 

[neilmw]

Re: Alpha one engaging gear

sorry Don, how would i tell if i have the electric shift? it does that thing where it almost stallls before engaging and disengaging.

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha one engaging gear

If it almost stalls going into gear, then you probably need a new cable or something else in the shift system is binding.<br />If you have the electric shift, there will be a large triangular shaped plastic cover over the electric motor and shift cable bracket installed just above the transom shield.

 

[QC]

Re: Alpha one engaging gear

I had an Alpha drive of the same vintage for the last 10 years AND an OMC stringer prior. Both of them had the "dog" clutch that clacks "clicks" if you do not move the lever quickly enough through no-mans land. The Alpha also had the ignition interupt right at the point of engagement. It sounds to me like he is simply moving the lever too slowly when shifting. Am I missing something?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha one engaging gear

It sounds to me like he is simply moving the lever too slowly when shifting.

Ayuh,............ Me Too.......

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha one engaging gear

What I was getting at is that many of the 470 series engines came with the electric shift setup as standard, and you don't have a choice of how fast it goes into gear.

 

[neilmw]

Re: Alpha one engaging gear

maybe iam just doing it too slowly,seem to notice it more when mooring on the pontoon, probably just being too cautious for fear of the boat jumping over the pontoon.......thanks for the advice.

 

[QC]

Re: Alpha one engaging gear

Play with it more when you aren't near anything. You will be suprised at how much slop you have after it goes into gear and before it picks up more RPM. The hardest thing I have had is teaching kids and wife about that very issue. You can be more agressive than you have been. If you are doing it right there will be no clicking whatsoever.

 

[neilmw]

Re: Alpha one engaging gear

Cheers quietcat, will have a play at the weekend

 

[neilmw]

Re: Alpha one engaging gear

You were right, it was all down to my 'shyness' with the control arm, had a good play at the weekend and got the knack of getting into gear without any clicking, just a comforting clunk, suprising how forcefull you can be with it.<br />Thanks again.

 

[QC]

Re: Alpha one engaging gear

Roger that, Neil. Been trying to teach that to family etc. for years. Now I have a Bravo and all that experience is only valid on this site . . . Just glad I/we could help. Cheers.