Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

[Old Boat Luvr]

I have a 1970 Starcraft Holiday I'm trying to get up and running and finally got the motor put back together and running right and I changed the lower oil and installed a new water pump impeller assy. Then I started it up and found out it won't go into gear. Not forward or reverse! When I reinstalled the lowere case after the WP replacement did I screw something up? or is the outdrive toast? Any suggestions as to what to check?

 

[achris]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

What ya working on? (1970 star thingy is not what we need to know... Let's start with the engine, make, model, serial number and the drive, make, model, serial number)

 

[marvinjansen]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

Maybe something as simple as not having things lined up like they are supposed to be. I had a bad cable from the shifter to the back of the boat and was able to shift it manually from the linkage on the inside of the stern. Don't think the worst, check the simple first. I did have to replace the lower shift cable in mine as it was old, frazled and hard to move. Good luck.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

I suspect that you are missing the lower shift shaft washer #50 here: http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...bnbr=70&bdesc=GEAR+HOUSING+ASSEMBLY,+COMPLETE look underneath to see if the bottom of the upper shift shaft is properly locked into the top of the intermediate shift shaft as in this photo by Ziggy ; http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&h...&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0,i:89&tx=137&ty=64

 

[achris]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

Maybe something as simple as not having things lined up like they are supposed to be. I had a bad cable from the shifter to the back of the boat and was able to shift it manually from the linkage on the inside of the stern. Don't think the worst, check the simple first. I did have to replace the lower shift cable in mine as it was old, frazled and hard to move. Good luck.

[size=+1]IF[/size] he's working on an MC-1, then I suspect he's lost the washers on the lower shift shaft and the intermediate shift shaft has dropped out of the upper shift shaft....

But as he's keeping secrets it difficult to know....

Chris......

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

+1 on ^^^^^^^ I'm betting on the stainless steel washer missing on the shift shaft splines....

 

[achris]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

I suspect that you are missing the lower shift shaft washer #50 here: http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...bnbr=70&bdesc=GEAR+HOUSING+ASSEMBLY,+COMPLETE look underneath to see if the bottom of the upper shift shaft is properly locked into the top of the intermediate shift shaft as in this photo by Ziggy ; http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&h...&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0,i:89&tx=137&ty=64

Hey Terry,

You're probably right, but as we haven't been told what he's working on, who knows???? :facepalm:... Could be an International Harvester for all we know....

Chris.......

 

[Old Boat Luvr]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

Sorry guys I forgot this forum has fast responses. It's a 120hp mercruiser with the MC-1 I believe. Ziggy I checked to see if the upper shift shaft was properly seated in the intermediate shift shaft and it is. I'm suspecting a shift cable problem because if I shove the shifter all the way forward to WOT it will engage into forward. Just don't know what to check from here.

 

[achris]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

When you changed the impeller, did you pull the whole drive, or just the lower gear housing?

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

Hmmm...awaiting the answer to that one ^^^. Sounds to me if the whole drive was pulled, maybe the roller on the upper shift shaft is not engaged in the shift cable end block.

 

[achris]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

Hmmm...awaiting the answer to that one ^^^. Sounds to me if the whole drive was pulled, maybe the roller on the upper shift shaft is not engaged in the shift cable end block.

That's what I'm thinking...

 

[Old Boat Luvr]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

Nope just pulled the lower housing.

 

[Old Boat Luvr]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

See if I try to wait for a response I don't get one...

 

[achris]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

See if I try to wait for a response I don't get one...

????

You might be one tooth out on the splined shift shaft. You need to drop the lower again and check that it will engage forward and reverse correctly, then make sure the control box is in full forward and the lower is also in full forward and the intermediate shift shaft is properly engaged in the upper shift shaft, then put the lower on the upper.....

Chris......

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

OK Sounds like it went back together correctly, so I suspect the shift cable might be the problem, especially on a boat that is being resurrected.

 

[Old Boat Luvr]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

I've tried this twice. what do you mean the control box in full forward? You mean Wide Open Throttle forward? or just forward till the shift cable stops moving?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

????

You might be one tooth out on the splined shift shaft. You need to drop the lower again and check that it will engage forward and reverse correctly, then make sure the control box is in full forward and the lower is also in full forward and the intermediate shift shaft is properly engaged in the upper shift shaft, then put the lower on the upper.....

Chris......

Chris: If it were off a spline the control would be jammed, and it would be stuck in reverse, but dropping the lower to see if reverse and forward engage properly by hand is a good idea. With the lower dropped, turn the lower ss all the way clockwise, and turn the prop countererclockwise, should lock (forward), then turn the lower ss all the way CCW and turn the prop, should lock (reverse). If all seems well I would suspect the lower shift cable. What do you guys think?

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

Yes.....full WOT throttle position. That way you don't have to look at anything under the hood.

 

[Old Boat Luvr]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

Okay tomorrow I guess I'll pull the lower again... and check to make sure it engages in reverse. I know it engages in forward because that's how I reinstalled the lower. Any ideas how to check to see if the lower shift cable is working properly?

 

[achris]

Re: Problem with outdrive not going into gear?

Remove the lower shift cable from the shift plate. You are going to need someone to help you for the next part.
While your helper slowly turns the propeller CCW, push the lower shift cable in. The prop will lock and the cable will stop moving. That's full engagement of forward. Make a mark on the cable barrel. Now have your helper turn the prop slowly CW while you pull out on the cable. When the prop locks and the cable stops, that's full reverse engagement. Measure the distance the cable has moved, it should be around 1-23/32". If it's significantly more than, that you have excess movement on the lower shift cable, or the associated shift mechanism hardware. The cable should also be quite easy to push in and pull out (not withstanding the resistance of the dog clutch in the gear case.)

Chris.......