Could failed shift mech., sensor cause outdrive knock

[cobrasteve]

New used boat to me, an 87' 4.3 cadorette. 1st trip down bay, was great for 20 mins. til, I deccelerated slightly and noticed a hot smell, oil? Engine temp and oil pressure was ok as I remember, iddled down and heard a knoking sound. Got neutral and noise dissapeared. tried to get forward gear and found it hard. Shifting all but lost we limped to shore. I think the boat is still in forward as it was to jumpy when going into gear to get fancy at the dock. I am hoping, believe it or not that this is maybe a faulty sensor or shift cable causing an outdrive issue? Gotta say that the engine looks as if it is in crooked but appears to be stalk? the mounting and all that is. quite off in fact. any ideas, tell me it may not be this engine making the knock. please!

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Could failed shift mech., sensor cause outdrive knock

I would check your lower shift cable for sure. Then I would pull the drive and check engine alignment. While it's off, you can inspect the bellows, u-joints, gimbal bearing etc. Also, look closely at the front stringer that supports your front engine mount/s. If they are hollow sounding when you rap on them, they're likely rotted, allowing the engine to move around. Alignment is critical, so you really need to be thorough. If it looks crooked, it probably is.