Mercruiser clicking when in neutral

[Greenhead2012]

First off you guys have been a great help through my transom rebuilding process. I rebuilt bellows, gimbal, and water pump in a mercruiser alpha gen 2 3.0L. I took it for a test ride and everything ran good. I was winterizing tonight and when in neutral you could hear a clicking or very small clank clank. When put in drive it stopped and sometimes when returned to neutral it wasn't doing it than would do it again. Is this a shift cable adjustment? Thanks for all your guidance.

 

[Mercruiser420]

Does it feel like it engages earlier when you put it in gear? I.e do you not have to push/pull the throttle lever all the way to engage in forward/reverse?

 

[Greenhead2012]

Forward is fine reverse maybe a little later than normal. Not 100% though

 

[bruceb58]

If its clicking, your lower shift cable is not adjusted properly or it is failing.

 

[Mercruiser420]

I'd make sure I put the shift cable back on correctly. I.e did you turn the brass barrel at all?

Since its a gen 2 it doesn't have a splined shift shaft so I wouldn't worry about it being a tooth off when you put the out drive back together.