replacing shift cable- what else while there?

[joe average]

1991 Searay 185 4.3 mercruiser 450hours. I,ve decided I need to replace the lower shift cable based on all the great info on this sight. Shifts OK into forward gear but stalls returning to neutral no matter how fast I try to shift to neutral. Stalls every time shifting into reverse. No amount of adjusting seems to fix it. I've never taken the lower unit off before. I have above average mechanic skills (but not a pro) How long should this job take? How heavy is the lower unit? Can I lift it off or does it require a hoist? (I'm 6 feet and 190 lbs of average strength not olympic power lifter nor peewee herman). What else should I do (or replace)while there? The u-joint is noisy while turning, is it reasonable to replace that while doing this job or does that add a whole greater level of dismantling/complexity?<br /><br />Thanks, Joe

 

[tommays]

Re: replacing shift cable- what else while there?

you need to id the drive because in 1991 it may be a GEN I or a GEN II and there are many differences<br /><br />when you do that i would recomend getting a merc manual and reading through whats involved<br /><br />if its noisey its a good idea to just do everything in one shot bellows ,u-joints ,ect<br /><br /><br />here is a web based manual to start<br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/mainmenu.pdf <br /><br />or this site but most of this stuff is GENI <br /><br /> http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm <br /><br />tommays