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Shift cable adjustment 88 alpha gen1

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cjmeyer

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"I have had problems with the

"I have had problems with the engine stalling when shifting into foward or reverse. I 've changed the Lower shift cable and associated cams and shift forks. I'm able to get it to shift either foward or reverse but not both,just one turn of the adjusting ferrel makes a major difference. In addition the only other thing I've done is changed the gear oil. Does the alpha 1 require it to use only Merc HiPerf gear oil?"
 
"Alpha 1 shift cable adjustmen

"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 the 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."
 
"Thanks for the info,The boat

"Thanks for the info,The boat is put away for the season right now, but I'm looking foward to trying your solution. Any input on the gear oil question? Thanks again."
 
"Use what you want, I recomend

"Use what you want, I recomend merc hyperformance and that is all I use. Regular mrec gear oil works fine also. Has no affect on shifting unless real cold.

In your description you say ferrel, I say trunion,
You dont say which one. If you are only adjusting the short cable then that could be your issue. The short cable is set to a specific length and the control cable is then set as described.
If you are adjusting it at random you may or may not get it correct. This proceedure is correct and does work, If you still have issues then something else is at fault, IE: control cable, linkages at bellhousing, shift linkages at outdrive or both."
 
"You also say you replaced the

"You also say you replaced the short cable. It is not an easy job and there are certain things that should be done,
1. how much you tightend the brass fitting into the bellhousing??
2. how much slack you left in the shift arm when tightening the set screw on the inner cable?
3. how much of the inner cable did you feed thru the plastic cable end?

All these things if not done correctly could affect cable slack.

Also how free does the inner cable move? If you remove the short shift cable from the bracket and SHOULD be able to push or pull it with only a thumb and index finger and very little pressure.

If you have to use a lot of force then the cable needs to be replaced again.

I have had brand new cable be to tight and have too much friction. If packaged wrong or miss handled that could do it."
 
I've replaced the cable tw

I've replaced the cable twice in the 12 years I've had the boat. I have followed the Clymers manual step by step and have come close but never satisfied with the outcome. I;ll try following your steps and I'll let you know how I make out. Thanks
 
Re: I've replaced the cable tw

KGHost, I too need to adjust my cable. Your directions are very good as always. However, which is this "short cable" you men are talking about? Thank you, Bob
 
There are two cables that attach to a bracket at the engine. One is from the shift control and the other THE SHORT CABLE is the one that goes thru the transom to the gimbal housing.
 
cjmeyer, I got these guys to help me with my Alpha One several months ago and the adjustment procedure that kghost has given you is the fastest and easiest way that I think you can get your drive to shift properly. However, everything that you described in your post is pretty much a repeat of what I experienced. Do as those guys suggest above and if it still doesn't work it could possibly be the shift spool in your lower unit. I had a marine mechanic fix mine and after he made the repair I was able to go through the procedure that kghost offered you and the drive shifts perfectly. Although, everything again mentioned above must be all well and good. Also, what I am suggesting may have little or nothing to do with your problem but don't necessarily count it out of the equation. I had a tough time with mine also and did not want to see you have to fight the darn thing so I figured I would mention it to you. P.S. If you can print out all of the above and have it right next to you in the boat when trying to adjust shift, it will probably be alot easier. Anyways, that is what I had to do. One last thing, I must have spent three or four hours before these guys gave me the adjustment procedure and I truthfully don't think I would have ever got it to work right without their help. Listen to everything they tell you and I guarantee you will be able to get it to work properly. best of luck, Tom
 
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I did exactly as you men described and still have no reverse. All I get is that clicking sound in reverse and neutral. Prior to changing engines the set-up worked fine. Please help! Thank you, Bob
 
Due to the amount potential issues with the istallation of the short cable and other potetial weak/out of tolorance issues I can not possible list and explain them all here at one time. If you send me your phone number and a time to call we can discuss this in more detail....
 
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