Shifting issues, 1988 Regal 280 twin mercruiser alpha gen 1

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Apr 25, 2005
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765
I have scoured the search feature looking for my problem but I have double and triple checked everything that other people are having issues with. Here is exactly how everything is going down. My bellows were rotted so I deceided to change them and gimble bearing. That all went down without a sinch. Now I mounted my left drive and it went on somewhat easily. Now this drive shifted fine when I removed it but now when I start the motor and shift it to FWD it will go but it almost sounds like the prop is moving faster than the motor and wants to come out of gear. I think that this will be fine because when I am running the prop should be under load and shouldnt come out of gear. My next thing with this motor is that fact that I believe the shift interupter is not working right because sometimes the motor stalls on reverse (although this hasnt been an issue since I adjusted it to its current setting) But not it has a thunk then goes into gear, the motor doesnt almost die like my other 18 ft bowrider used to. I have the manual and have adjust it so many times that I am close to just buying all new cable but from some things I have heard people end up throwing parts at it but it turns out to be something else. When the drive is off and when it is on the shift cable moves free (when not hooked to the bracket) and will put the drive firmly into gear and out of gear.

Now the left motor is the same way, except I noticed something when I went to shift the drive into fwd gear the shift shaft actually rubs on the housing, I have a picture below. When I install this drive the cable goes from moving freely to being binded and not moving at all from fwd to N or Rev. I am looking at the shaft but it doesnt appear to be bent at all, but I know it isnt supposed to rub the housing. Also there is play up and down on the shaft. I plan on doing the water pumps also so I will check the intermediate shaft also. My question is WHAT am I doing wrong, this is really getting to me I have followed all the isntructions on the manuals and still cannot find an easy way to get this done.

Also for the water pumps does the drive need to be completely off?

DSC00325.jpg
 

Fishermark

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Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,617
Re: Shifting issues, 1988 Regal 280 twin mercruiser alpha gen 1

I believe the shift interupter is not working right because sometimes the motor stalls on reverse

I have to confess - I read your post a couple of times and I still don't really understand what your problem is. :confused:

There's nothing wrong with your shift interrupt switch - it sounds like it is working, but your shift cable is either out of adjustment or needs to be replaced.
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: Shifting issues, 1988 Regal 280 twin mercruiser alpha gen 1

Well I know the left engine seems to be fine, but my worries are the right engine. And when I shift it makes a clunk I dont know if that is proper I heard the interrupter is supposed to damn near kill the engine when it goes into gear. And I cant get the left one to firmly go, when i adjust it it seems to barely go into gear for reverse or fwd. I guess Ill have to trouble shoot this right foot and see if I can clear up this sift shaft problem. I never did get the hang of adjusting these cables. I guess my problem really is getting the right foot so the shift shaft doesnt rub the housing.

What are some of the symptoms of the shift cable needing replacing? Is it this hard shifting that I am experiencing? WHen i took the foots apart to do the bellows I slid the whole cable out through the transom, before i did that i took the whole cable out of the housing so it wouldnt kink. Was this my problem? Did i mess something up? Also one of my shift cables had a black wrapping on the inner wire while the other did not.
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: Shifting issues, 1988 Regal 280 twin mercruiser alpha gen 1

you know Im sitting here and I am thinking the whole shift shaft is turned around...am i correct?

DSC00327.jpg

DSC00326.jpg
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,344
Re: Shifting issues, 1988 Regal 280 twin mercruiser alpha gen 1

you are correct, it needs to face the other way. you never mentioned you split the drives
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: Shifting issues, 1988 Regal 280 twin mercruiser alpha gen 1

never did! musta been the previous owner....uhg. I wasted so much time mounting the drive with my son and ruining a good transom gasket. And I even said to myself that just doesnt look right.
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: Shifting issues, 1988 Regal 280 twin mercruiser alpha gen 1

already way ahead of ya, have two ordered
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: Shifting issues, 1988 Regal 280 twin mercruiser alpha gen 1

got it ll buttoned up and turned around and she went in without a hitch, now to make sure that the newly installed water pumps work :)
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
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Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,344
Re: Shifting issues, 1988 Regal 280 twin mercruiser alpha gen 1

Semper Fi, thank a vet.
Everyday, my son is Navy Veteran.
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: Shifting issues, 1988 Regal 280 twin mercruiser alpha gen 1

tell him oorah and thanks for his service
 
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