GOT FWD NOW BUT LOSt REVERSE ON ALPHA

crazy charlie

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I need some simple instructions on how to adjust shift cable on 1988 mercruiser 5.0lx with alpha drive.I had rev but no fwd.Did some tweaking of cables and now Have rev but no fwd.Please explain which cable does what ????? and which I should be adjusting????Couldnt find a simple explanation in The merc man in adults only.Charlie
 

Don S

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Re: GOT FWD NOW BUT LOSt REVERSE ON ALPHA

There is no such thing as "Simple Instructions"
Do them by the book or you are just tinkering with the trial and error method.
 

crazy charlie

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Re: GOT FWD NOW BUT LOSt REVERSE ON ALPHA

By "simple" I meant so someone that has never done this before can understand.I have never done this before.any explanation would be appreciated.
 

JustJason

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Re: GOT FWD NOW BUT LOSt REVERSE ON ALPHA

Not to be a wise arse charlie... But what part of the instructions in the manual do you not understand? I mean this seriously, is there a section, a page, a paragraph that you don't get? Do it by the book as Don says. If you do it by the book and it still doesn't work then you need a new cable. If there is something in the manual you don't get, post the section and page number or whatever and i'll look at the manual to and maybe reword/reinterprate in a more straight foward manner. I know as well as anybody else service manuals are not an easy read. What can we help you with?
 

crazy charlie

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Re: GOT FWD NOW BUT LOSt REVERSE ON ALPHA

Just noticed that when I printed the section of the svc manual,the only pages that did not print were the ones that I needed.I just read the ones I needed and they seem to be written for someone more qualified than me.Are all adjustments made from the upper cable??Charlie
 

ziggy

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Re: GOT FWD NOW BUT LOSt REVERSE ON ALPHA

your just wanting to adj. the lower shift cable is that right? if so. you only use items 1-4 for installing the lower shift cable. item 5 on is for adj. the remote the way i read it. if you didn't adj. the remote and just replaced the lower cable. 1-4 gets that deed done... basicly, 6'' center to center when in fwd.
 

JustJason

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Re: GOT FWD NOW BUT LOSt REVERSE ON ALPHA

The upper gets set first. Then the lower 2nd.
 

crazy charlie

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Re: GOT FWD NOW BUT LOSt REVERSE ON ALPHA

Thanks ziggy.I didnt install any new cables.Just want to get what I have adjusted properly because I didnt have fwd after putting my drive on.Ill do the 1-4 and see what works.Charlie
 

"G"

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Re: GOT FWD NOW BUT LOSt REVERSE ON ALPHA

Charlie...
Shifting adjustments ACTUALLY begin with assuring the lower shift cable is in tact and inner cable adjusted correctly. AFTER you are assured the lower shift cable is correctly adjusted and not broken at the juncture of the cable to brass attachment (where it goes into the Gimbel housing) then set your upper cable. Any other way is setting yourself up for doing it over again. If you are going back and forth with adjustments, you will most likely find the cable housing broken. The shift cable boot may be hiding that.
 

crazy charlie

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Re: GOT FWD NOW BUT LOSt REVERSE ON ALPHA

Thanks G.I am pretty certain the part in the gimble is fine.I tested the movement while I was greasing it before installing the drive.Odd that it has always worked fine and the cable doesent have many hours on it but I DID put a different drive on it this year,I used my spare.I was convinced that it was the drive but have pretty much ruled that out at this point.Charlie
 
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