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No reverse Alpha 1 4.3 merc 1980

E

ElCeti

New member
I have an oldie 1980 4.3 mercruiser, 22' aquasport done a lot of work runs great but I can get the gears adjusted to save my life. Either goes into forward or reverse not both. Replace shift Cable twice, and remote cable, also replace shifter with the same type I use to have found on eBay. Flow every procedure from manual and som forums but can not get it to work. If I remove the remote cable and move the shift cable then it works even thought its hard to get full travel. Please help
 
Here is my adjustment proceedure........

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.
Give this a try and report back with results.


Here is a problem area that you should look at.

View attachment 2174
 
First thing when you put cable in how far did you thread the cable in housing.Move bolt to bottom of slot, then
lock drive into forward,then measure from cable barrel to hole 6 inch, then install on shifter. Take throttle cable back out 4 turns.
Now start and shift into forward, if you get forward, but quick can't get rev, loose off 7/16 nut and move cable up slot little at a time and retry

Steve
Note when in good forward shifter on lower unit will be pointed straight forward, if not you need to fits this first
 
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