"I recently purchased a used b
"I recently purchased a used boat (1985)with an early Alpha 3.0. Tested it out for about an hour and it worked except for a blown head gasket. I have been working on it for about 3 weeks now, doing a lot of needed and PM work. Replaced all the transom bellows, trim limit and sender, gimbal bearing, etc.
Problem is this: When trying to adjust the shift cable, I find that there does not seem to be enough stroke in the actuator. If I adjust for neutral and forward, I have no reverse. If I adjust for neutral and reverse, I have no forward. When adjusted for one, and the cable removed from the actuator arm and pushed or pulled to get the other gear, it seems to need about 1/4" more stroke needed. I have checked out the remote, and it is tight, lubricated, and no free play. When the drive is off on the bench, the shift shaft seems to be correct, straight ahead for forward, and about 60-70 degrees to port for reverse, with little free play in either position with the prop held, so it does not seem like much wear in the shift spool or crank. The shift actuator on the engine is in great shape, not worn. In fact, the engine seems to have relatively low time for a 23 year old boat. For model information, it is the metal shift arm, no shift assist, plastic fulcrum on the cable from the remote.
I have tried it with the adjustable stud full up on the actuator arm, still not enough travel.
Anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to what could be the issue? I have the Seloc, Chilton, and Mercruiser manuals, nothing mentions this type of problem. The lower shift cable seems to be in good shape, but I ordered a new kit to replace it anyway. Not looking forward to the task of getting it through the shift bellows, again! That was one difficult task to say the least. Boy, have I had some choice words for Mercruiser over the last couple of weeks! Has mankind ever developed something more difficult to work on, ever?"
"I recently purchased a used boat (1985)with an early Alpha 3.0. Tested it out for about an hour and it worked except for a blown head gasket. I have been working on it for about 3 weeks now, doing a lot of needed and PM work. Replaced all the transom bellows, trim limit and sender, gimbal bearing, etc.
Problem is this: When trying to adjust the shift cable, I find that there does not seem to be enough stroke in the actuator. If I adjust for neutral and forward, I have no reverse. If I adjust for neutral and reverse, I have no forward. When adjusted for one, and the cable removed from the actuator arm and pushed or pulled to get the other gear, it seems to need about 1/4" more stroke needed. I have checked out the remote, and it is tight, lubricated, and no free play. When the drive is off on the bench, the shift shaft seems to be correct, straight ahead for forward, and about 60-70 degrees to port for reverse, with little free play in either position with the prop held, so it does not seem like much wear in the shift spool or crank. The shift actuator on the engine is in great shape, not worn. In fact, the engine seems to have relatively low time for a 23 year old boat. For model information, it is the metal shift arm, no shift assist, plastic fulcrum on the cable from the remote.
I have tried it with the adjustable stud full up on the actuator arm, still not enough travel.
Anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to what could be the issue? I have the Seloc, Chilton, and Mercruiser manuals, nothing mentions this type of problem. The lower shift cable seems to be in good shape, but I ordered a new kit to replace it anyway. Not looking forward to the task of getting it through the shift bellows, again! That was one difficult task to say the least. Boy, have I had some choice words for Mercruiser over the last couple of weeks! Has mankind ever developed something more difficult to work on, ever?"