Mercruiser Alpha 1 shifts into gear, won't shift out

[Panoguy]

I have a 5.7L crate engine attached to an old (used to be white... that old!) Sea Ray upper unit (gear ratio=1.47), that looks pristine inside, which in-turn is attached to a new SEI-106 lower unit. First time I splashed the several weeks backboat, all worked well - it would shift into/out-of Forward/neutral/Reverse without issue. 2nd. time (last weekend) & 3rd time (today) - Troubles!

The boat would shift-into whatever gear I needed, but would then be stuck there, unless I turned-off the engine... then it would go into neutral to start, & shift into either forward or reverse, but again remain stuck into that gear till I once-again shut-down the engine.

All shifts fine in the driveway, with the earmuffs on.

I read Don S. post on the shift interruption system... am wondering if this could be my problem, but honestly, am at a loss here as if it is/to how to fix.

Any thoughts?

 

[alldodge]

Your shift interrupter switch is either not working, not adjusted correctly or wires are not connection properly. The interrupter is only used when the boat is in the water and is not needed when out of the water.

Check to see if the switch and that it is set correctly

 

[tacx]

Sorry, don't mean to jump this thread, but how does the interrupting switch know when the boat is in the water and when it's not?

thanks
tom

 

[Bt Doctur]

is there a load on the prop (in the water) or no load on the prop (on a trailer)
If you can picture pulling a rubber band until it breaks , your putting tensin on the system trying to pull the drive out of gear and you reach a point where you pull the switch into position, it stalls the motor and then relaxes allowing the motor to keep running

 

[Panoguy]

Sorry, don't mean to jump this thread, but how does the interrupting switch know when the boat is in the water and when it's not?

thanks
tom

Feel free to "Jump", tacx - I had the same question.

Because this is a home-grown build-up, from mostly used parts, I'm wondering specifically about the switch electrical connections (& whether I messed-that-up!). Looking at several diagrams, Alpha 1 gen 2 wiring... looks like (Brown) finally ends-up at the Green/white to distributer & (Black) goes right to ground. Is this right?

I have a feeling it's a physical adjustment that needs to be performed on my switch/actuating lever, & not electrical -
FYI: in-addition to the Don S posting, AChris posted a really great description on adjusting the cutout switch, he mentioned that clearance with the switch should be 1/8" gap between the switch arm & actuating lever when not activated... interesting stuff! Link is below...

 

[alldodge]

Green/white to distributer

Your sig shows a 1984 and first post list a 5.7 and just for clarity if its a 84 model it should be a 898 which is a 350 also 5.7L. Being a 84 there should be no White/Green wire because you should have points and not a TB 4 or 5 ignition.

Is this correct?

 

[Panoguy]

Well, as I mentioned @ the top of this thread - this is a rather abnormal situation... A FrankenBoat, if you will.
I replaced the orig. 4-cyl powerplant with a 5.7L V8 - w/ Thunderbolt IV ignition. Should have mentioned the Thunderbolt IV... sorry for that confusion, AllDodge!

 

[alldodge]

That do change things, maybe add that to your sig

The TB-IV ignition not get grounded when the interrupter switch is activated (white/green). There would be 2 white/green wires and one goes to the TB-IV and the other to the interrupter switch. Other side of the switch is grounded

The TB-IV has the following wires
Purple - to coil + side
Black - to ground
White/Green - distributor module
White/Red - distributor module
Gray - to coil - side

 

[alldodge]

Might help

 

[Panoguy]

That do change things, maybe add that to your sig

The TB-IV ignition not get grounded when the interrupter switch is activated (white/green). There would be 2 white/green wires and one goes to the TB-IV and the other to the interrupter switch. Other side of the switch is grounded

Well, now I know what to do with that extra White/Green wire!! Thanks, AllDodge! I'll post progress when/if I get a chance to splash the boat again... it's getting cold around here, and (more importantly) the lake has 4' waves more often than not @ this time of the year.