Another alpha one shift issue

[Oduwake25]

1989 4.3 merc alpha one.
I was having trouble with shifting from rev to neutral and the engine dieing, That i know is the kill switch. But the other day I throttled up to get on plane and the engine reved up and then sputtered and died. In that process i heard a clunk. I think that the choke was just stuck closed and that is why i couldn't get it going. It ran good at idle. So back to the shift, I replaced the cable last year, and i was checking my adjustments to get it to work. Sometimes forward won't lock in, then other times rev won't lock it. And I know that the cables are adjusted correctly. i have heard about the SS washer, that i know is on there but im pretty sure i don't have the rubber one, do i need it? and any ideas on what this could me?

 

[dubs283]

Re: Another alpha one shift issue

if the engine is dying going into neutral, and you have trouble shifting into forward and reverse then something is worn out or misadjusted

the v-spring may be the cause of dying going into neutral, maybe, but seeing as how you are having other issues don't rule out the shift linkages in the bell housing and drive unit, also check the operation of the cable that comes from the helm conrtol to the engine for excessive end play

 

[Oduwake25]

Re: Another alpha one shift issue

I can shift the controller pretty well for how old it is. I just don't know where to start. I understand how most of it works, and i like i said i can get forward but rev just clicks both detections. where should i start?

 

[dubs283]

Re: Another alpha one shift issue

move the stud on the shift plate where to lower cable end attaches up in the slot, see if that helps you achieve reverse

 

[Oduwake25]

Re: Another alpha one shift issue

just got off the boat. I'm thinking it might be the upper shift cable. There is about 5/16 of an inch of loose play in the cable, how much if any should there be? . And i can get the gears to work properly, then when I go back and forth to keep checking them one or the other will slip out. The lower cable is a year old and has only a tiny bit of play(as it should) right?

thanks guys

 

[Oduwake25]

Re: Another alpha one shift issue

so I looked at the manual again. The upper shift cable play is 3 1/4 inches. more then the 3 1/8. SOOO what do you think, problem found and time to replace?