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merc 5.0 shift linkage help

Alpha 1 shift cable adjustment procedure

Raise outdrive a count of 2-3 seconds from all the way down.
Remove short cable from shift bracket at engine.
Push plastic cable end of short cable all the way IN, have someone turn by hand the prop c’clockwise until full forward engagement.
Measure distance between the center of the brass trunion to the center of the plastic cable end hole that the mounting stud went thru. This measurement must be 6 inches exactly!!

Now shift the control handle to full forward full throttle position.
Try to install short cable onto shift bracket. If it will not fit perfectly adjust the control shift cable trunion “only” until it does. Once there install short cable back onto shift bracket. Now turn control cable trunion 3-4 turns AWAY from the plastic cable end and install into shift bracket.

Shift control handle to neutral. Prop should spin freely with no clicking sounds.

Now shift back into forward but only to the “detent” aprox, 10:00 oclock . This is when forward gear should be fully engaged. Make sure someone is spinning the prop by hand c’clockwise when doing this.
If you have good forward engagement with no slipping then pull handle back to neutral.

Now shift handle to aprox, 2:00 oclock, have the person spin the prop clockwise. This should give you reverse engagement. If it does then you are done! If it does not and you have a clicking sound / not full engagement then adjust the short shift cable end where it is mounted, there is a slot, loosen the hex nut under the cable end and move cable towards the end of the arm, say ¼ inch and retry. When full reverse is obtained you are done.
 
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Do you understand the concept of the switch and how it`s supposed to work? ON LAND with the motor running,when you shift it should NOT MOVE at all. It only should activate while coming OUT of gear only while in the water only for a split second.
 
awsome, wife and i went to place i keep the boat. your instructions were very concise and clear. if it does not rain tommorow i will put it in the water for a test drive. thanks a wholleeeeeee bunch!!!!
kghost said:
Alpha 1 shift cable adjustment procedure

Raise outdrive a count of 2-3 seconds from all the way down.
Remove short cable from shift bracket at engine.
Push plastic cable end of short cable all the way IN, have someone turn by hand the prop c’clockwise until full forward engagement.
Measure distance between the center of the brass trunion to the center of the plastic cable end hole that the mounting stud went thru. This measurement must be 6 inches exactly!!

Now shift the control handle to full forward full throttle position.
Try to install short cable onto shift bracket. If it will not fit perfectly adjust the control shift cable trunion “only” until it does. Once there install short cable back onto shift bracket. Now turn control cable trunion 3-4 turns AWAY from the plastic cable end and install into shift bracket.

Shift control handle to neutral. Prop should spin freely with no clicking sounds.

Now shift back into forward but only to the “detent” aprox, 10:00 oclock . This is when forward gear should be fully engaged. Make sure someone is spinning the prop by hand c’clockwise when doing this.
If you have good forward engagement with no slipping then pull handle back to neutral.

Now shift handle to aprox, 2:00 oclock, have the person spin the prop clockwise. This should give you reverse engagement. If it does then you are done! If it does not and you have a clicking sound / not full engagement then adjust the short shift cable end where it is mounted, there is a slot, loosen the hex nut under the cable end and move cable towards the end of the arm, say ¼ inch and retry. When full reverse is obtained you are done.
Click to expand...
 
took to lake yesterday and woilla, it worked like it was suppose to. now i just need some help on how to keep it from stalling when putting in neutral...
 
I agree wit BD

if the cables are adjusted propperly and it still stalls when shifting then it is most likely the short cable,

just for reference, if you remove the short cable from the shift bracket, (boat out of the water) and have someone spin the prop by hand and you push and pull the short cable end, it should move in and out with only two fingers of force to get forward or reverse engagement. If a lot of effort is needed then the cable or the linkage is binding.........
 
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