Motor Stalls, WHY???????

[zeezer]

Why does the motor die when I shift into forward, but not reverse????????????

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Motor Stalls, WHY???????

You don't say year, make, model, but my initial guess is that your lower shift cable is going bad or out is out of adjustment causing your shift interrupt switch to stick. Is this a mercruiser? Have you done any work to it recently?

 

[zeezer]

Re: Motor Stalls, WHY???????

Sorry about that. It's a 1989 Mercruiser 260 hp stern drive with an Alpha 1 drive. The cable seems ok visually, but you may be right if it is stretched or not adjusted correctly. This is actually a dual problem the other thing is that I replaced the impeller in the lower unit & cannot get the shift shaft to engage into the shift crank . It just spins. Is there a spline or is there a flat ground into the round shaft? or is there a key way? could the shift crank be bent?

 

[zeezer]

Re: Motor Stalls, WHY???????

any ideas?

 

[bamadave]

Re: Motor Stalls, WHY???????

Do you have a manual?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Motor Stalls, WHY???????

shift shaft area. did you make sure the rubber and steel washer were in place. without it the shift shaft drops down too far on the splined shaft and the shoe dosent engage.if you mean that the splined shaft in the lower unit rotates completely around, then you have a serious problem<br />for the shifting, pull the cotter pin, slide barrel out, shift drive into full fwd(have someone turn the prop counterclockwise ), put control box in fwd, adjust barrel to fit

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Motor Stalls, WHY???????

There is a large flat washer that slides over the shift shaft. If it is missing or has become concave it will allow the shift coupler (on the gimbal ring side) to ride right over the shift engager(on the out-drive side). Is it on? Was it in good shape? If you are not sure the bad thing is: Ya gotta take the drive back off- split the cases & see if it is right. To put the cases back together you must turn the prop shaft counter clock wise & turn the lower case shift shaft clock-wise. DO NOT FORCE THEM TOGETHER! They will mate up easily when it's right. Don't forget the oil pasage seal. Post back if ya got it right The Shift interupter has a little wheel, shift to forward [engine off and oserve the shift plate, if the little wheel is not in the detent then your lower cable is headin' south.......................J

 

[zeezer]

Re: Motor Stalls, WHY???????

Thanks for the responses, let me answer a few questions that you have. Yes,I did purchase an engine & sterndrive manual. It does explain how the shift shaft goes in & how to adjust it clockwise & spin the prop in reverse to position it. I do have that stainless washer in place. The manual also states how important that washer is as well. I wonder if I have possibly bent the shift crank?<br />I will check the position of the wheel on the cutout switch detent, however I believe that you are correct that the cable might be shot, we'll see. If I need to replace that cable, Are there any special tools that are needed? I understand that it is a big job, more time consuming than complicated. Any tips or tricks?

 

[novicetech]

Re: Motor Stalls, WHY???????

Zeezer its not really that bad to replace the cable, just work slowly and make sure everthing is lined up when reassembling. Your manual will explain in detail. Make sure you replace shift cable bellows as well. When removing the cable sleeve from the engine compartment, there is a nylon heat deflector wrap, remove it before removing the cable sleeve. And when installing the cable remove the inner cable and install the sleeve first then carefully insert the inner cable. Make sure you install the sleeve so that only about one thread remains visable on the brass fitting that screws into the bell housing.

 

[zeezer]

Re: Motor Stalls, WHY???????

Have'nt had a chance to adjust the cable since my outdrive was at a mechanics. Turns out the shift shaft was bent, & both ends of the shift cam were broken off. This puppy was going nowhere fast! He repaired & replaced everything that needed to be. I picked up the drive this afternoon & will be putting it back on to adjust the shift cable. We'll keep you posted.

 

[tommays]

Re: Motor Stalls, WHY???????

http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm <br /><br />this should help with getting things back right<br /><br />tommays