1975 crestliner high idle reverse

rogerrabbitis

Seaman
Joined
May 25, 2003
Messages
69
Hello I have a 1975 inline 6 mercury engine and outdrive when I go forward it goes in to gear nicely but when going in to reverse it seems to idle up and because of that it goes hard in to reverse Looking for what adjustments I should look at for the problem. thanks for your time.
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,345
control cable most likely needs adjusting ,one from the control box
 

rogerrabbitis

Seaman
Joined
May 25, 2003
Messages
69
I believe there is two one to put it in gear and the throttle witch one or both should be adjusted and is there a method to it or just guessing ??
 

CaptainMak

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 28, 2012
Messages
294
Yeah, search for ACHRIS's youtube video on how to adjust shift cable on mercruiser engines. Pretty simple task.
 

rogerrabbitis

Seaman
Joined
May 25, 2003
Messages
69
Hi all I tried over the summer a few different ways to adjust the shifting and did not seem to have much luck also finding the directions for my specific boat\motor seem to be difficult mine is a 165hp merc 1974 crest-liner crusader most show for larger motors etc. any more directions would be great thanks.
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,345
Try it the backyard way, WITH THE MOTOR OFF
remove the cable that goes to the drive, its the one with the brass barrel. shift control box into full reverse, full throttle
attach black end to stud, adjust barrel to fit.
test and report back
Can also do it in fwd gear the same way. If F works and R dosent then suspect a bad control cable, bad shift cable, worn components
 

rogerrabbitis

Seaman
Joined
May 25, 2003
Messages
69
Hello all got boat out of storage and got it started and all with all the info I was given by you guys I think I got it...

1)both barrels were turned out to there max when started. probably from me goofing around with it ....
2) checked play in cable going down to the drive seem to be with in what they said it should be 3/8 of an inch..
3) adjusted cable going to drive according to the video

with motor off shifted in to forward and seem to get it engaging fully but then I would get nothing in reverse

adjusted back and got reverse but nothing forward

Adjusted in the middle and both gears seem to get it to engage partially when spinning by hand clicking sound.

seem to be the best place so started the engine and ran it in forward and reverse and got a little gear sound going in to gear forward and revers but seem to like it. not sure how it will act under load but I would have though that when in gear it would not spin but maybe I am wrong.? they don't really tell you in the video if you should have full engagement or not with engine off and trying to just spin the prop. Thoughts.?
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,088
they don't really tell you in the video if you should have full engagement or not with engine off and trying to just spin the prop. Thoughts.?

Ayuh,.... It should positively Lock in 1 direction, 'n ratchet in the opposite direction, when the motor ain't runnin',....

I'm Guessin' ya need a new lower shift cable,....
 

rogerrabbitis

Seaman
Joined
May 25, 2003
Messages
69
ok well that is good info. ..I was not sure I am pretty sure I had it locked going forward and it was clicking or ratchet in reverse.? the way I have it now it will probably not do well under load.? I can try and give forward some more positive lock on the forward. I believe I had it that way but was looking for it to also lock on the reverse.

how hard is the lower shift cable to replace.? I checked the play in the cable and it seem to be ok...
 
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