No forward, reverse dies huh??

[paintman_15]

I have a 1980 marquis riviera with a 140hp mercruiser.<br />model mcm 140<br />motor serial 5707378<br />mercrusier serial 5697702<br />stern drive serial 5655248<br />181 displacement<br />Saturday after backing up, the boat would not disengage and go forward.<br />Shortly thereafter the boat would not go forward and dies when you try to go<br />backwards. When I give it gas and try to go forward it just acts as if it<br />is in neutral. I am trying to find out the most likely problems here. Any<br />assistance will be greatly appreciated. This is the first boat I have owned and am pretty much an idiot with this, but did some looking and discovered that when I put it in reverse the shift cable moves a piece which pushes a switch and the boat dies. When I move it forward a the switch is not avtivated. Any Ideas before I destroy this boat by taking it apart myself?

 

[Bondo]

Re: No forward, reverse dies huh??

Classic Symptoms of a Frozen/Broken/NFG Lower Shift Cable..........<br /><br />Replace it,<br />And,<br />Your Problems will Go Away..........

 

[paintman_15]

Re: No forward, reverse dies huh??

Does anyone have a good parts breakdown picture? The one I find are not so good. Thanks

 

[paintman_15]

Re: No forward, reverse dies huh??

Is this lower shift cable the part physically attached to the shifter?

 

[hoot]

Re: No forward, reverse dies huh??

http://www.mercstuff.com/shiftcable2.htm

 

[qystan]

Re: No forward, reverse dies huh??

Look here<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=000029

 

[paintman_15]

Re: No forward, reverse dies huh??

Another uniformed (stupid) question. Due to the limited room does the sterndrive have to come off to do the lower cable replacement?

 

[qystan]

Re: No forward, reverse dies huh??

Not mentioned, is this an alpha drive? If yes, drive has to come off. <br /><br />Not difficult. Mercstuff.com has a description. Note that it is heavy and wise to get help to avoid back injuries.

 

[paintman_15]

Re: No forward, reverse dies huh??

I got the drive off and am on the hunt for a cable before this weekend if not will order online. Thanks for all the help guys.