Not enugh "throw" when shiftig

[v12mac]

A buddy asked me to look at his boat and this is what we found.<br />When he shifts in to forward the gears engagage fine, when he goes for reverse it sounds like some one trying to shift slowly in to reverse. So I adjusted the shift cable a bit to give him some aditonal throw in to reverse. Now it goes in to reverse fine but no forward. If I could get a littel more throw or get some play out of the plastic rods that connect the shift cable to the shift rod from the lower unit we would be fine. Any ideas? Is this a bad shift cable or does he need to replace all the linkage?<br /><br />1996 Ocean runner 150 hp<br /><br /><br />Mac

 

[Walker]

Re: Not enugh "throw" when shiftig

Sounds like a stretched shift cable. Thats the first thing I'd replace.

 

[v12mac]

Re: Not enugh "throw" when shiftig

OK I am off to buy a new shift cable, I just wanted to hear it from someone else before I spent the dough.<br />Mac

 

[Walker]

Re: Not enugh "throw" when shiftig

You could have worn bushings in the control box too, but start with a new cable. They are cheap enough.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Not enugh "throw" when shiftig

Check first that there is no missing bushings, bent linkage, or a mis-adjusted shift rod.<br /><br />In neutral, the shift lever where the cable attaches should be parallel with the crankshaft, so that fwd. and rev. have the same travel. The actual shift rod measurement is in the service manual. Look from the back of the motor to the stainless steel shift lever at the cable attactment and see if anything is bent sideways. That is common when someone forces the shift control with the motor not running. There is a small white bushing where the horizontal shift shaft (with the hair pin clip) is supported by an aluminum bracket that holds the throttle cable adjusters. Many times it falls out when the gearcase is removed.

 

[v12mac]

Re: Not enugh "throw" when shiftig

Just picked up the cable. The only thing that is bent or looks wierd is the plastic linkage rod that goes from the shift cable forward toward the carbs, seems to bow a bit when the motor is trying to shift.<br /><br />Mac

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Not enugh "throw" when shiftig

With the cable removed from the motor, spin the prop with your foot and shift into fwd and rev gear by hand. It should be fairly easy. It it is stiff or very sloppy, get the linkage checked out by a QUALIFIED tech.

 

[v12mac]

Re: Not enugh "throw" when shiftig

I wish he could spring for a good tech. This is the old low buck or no boat deal with his wife. <br /><br />When we went in to the binacal shift control to remove the old cable I found that the littel metal pegs that go through the cable ends were poped out of the plastic bushings. I think we found where some of the slop was coming from. I couldn't get a set at 3pm on a Saturday so thoes will go on the wish list. Back at the motor I found that where the cable attaches to the linkage there was just a pin and no washer holding the cable end on. I put a washer and a new cotter pin in and that took up some more of the slop. I am still concerned about the flexing of the of the plastic shift linkage piece.<br /><br />I'll get the new bushings Monday and post the results.<br /><br />Mac