New to me boat issues

[love1u0]

Hi,
I just picked up a 1997 Bayliner 2655 and it has a few issues..
The engine serial number is K197245 and the Alpha 1 Gen 2 drive serial number is K048006.
The first problem it has is very tight steering. I pulled the clevis pin and unscrewed the steering cable and everything moves freely on that end. Lots of lube and easy movement through the tube. The steering is still super tight at the helm. Could that still be a bad cable?
Also, hopping out of the boat I tried to move the drive side to side by hand and it will not budge, do I have another problem?
Second issue. The previous owner put on a new lower shift cable. When I shift from neutral to reverse the engine dies. I hope it just needs adjustment?
Third question. Looking at the engine serial number I "think" it is a 350 Mag with 250hp. Does anyone know for sure what it is?
Thanks

 

[tpenfield]

Steering is often tight with the engine off, due to the power steering. If it is tight with the engine running, then time to check the power steering fluid, connections, etc.

The shifting/engine dying problem may be up at the helm in the shift/throttle control, but others may have more specifics to check.

The serial number lookup comes up with a 350 Mag/Alpha outdrive

 

[DaveG55]

If memory serves, the engine/drive has a shift interrupt that actually kills the engine momentarily, releasing drive train tension for that instant, allowing the lower unit to shift. I believe that when you replace the shift cable you have to readjust the interrupt switch. Perhaps that was not done correctly?

 

[achris]

Hi,
I just picked up a 1997 Bayliner 2655 and it has a few issues..
The engine serial number is K197245 and the Alpha 1 Gen 2 drive serial number is K048006.
The first problem it has is very tight steering. I pulled the clevis pin and unscrewed the steering cable and everything moves freely on that end. Lots of lube and easy movement through the tube. The steering is still super tight at the helm. Could that still be a bad cable?

If the steering is tight with the cable removed from the actuator, you have a bad cable or a bad helm unit.

Also, hopping out of the boat I tried to move the drive side to side by hand and it will not budge, do I have another problem?

Normal. Those steering actuators are 'non-feedback' units, and as such any load put on the drive will not be reflected back to the steering wheel.

Second issue. The previous owner put on a new lower shift cable. When I shift from neutral to reverse the engine dies. I hope it just needs adjustment?

Have a look in the stickies at the top of the forum and you find the 'Adults only' section. Don't worry, nothing 'adults only' in there, it's just a way to try and attract attention. Anyway, click that, then click "Mercruiser information". In there you'll find my videos on a few common Mercruiser issues, one of them, the shift cable adjustment. Many people tell me it's a good one to watch....

Third question. Looking at the engine serial number I "think" it is a 350 Mag with 250hp. Does anyone know for sure what it is?
Thanks

Sorry, not a Mag, just a common garden variety 5.7L, 1997 (250hp at the prop)....

Chris.......

 

[love1u0]

Thank you both for the information.
The boat currently has a 2bl carb, would adding a 4bl intake and carb give me better performance.
Also, is the engine a vortec 350 or just a standard 350.

Thanks