1985 mercruiser 140 lower shift cable replacement

[Ncguy88]

hey guys iv posted a few post on here and everyone has been extremly helpful. i finally got my 1985 chaparral 185 running and the engine runs well. but now i have found that sterndrive wont shift into gear. the shifter and mechanism on side of engine moves but the lower cable is frayed and just bunches up. so im guessing that the cable is seized. i tried searching but couldnt find anything on cable replacement for the pre-alpha drives. or coule it be something with the sterndrive its-self?

 

[Lancer76]

If the cable is frayed then it will need to be replaced. To do that you will have to remove the sterndrive. While you have the sterndrive off, you can check the linkage in the sterndrive to make sure it moves smoothly and shifts into forward and reverse as it should. Good time to change water pump and bellows if needed, and to check the gimbal bearing and engine alignment.

 

[Ncguy88]

is there any kind of write up on replacing the shift cable? i havent found one by searching.

 

[Ncguy88]

i know that to pull the sterndrive everyone says to make sure its in forward gear but mine is stuck in neutral because of the cable.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Well, if it cant be shifted into fwd then you need to drain the drive oil and remove the lower half first then the upper half An alternative method it to cut the cable just behind the gimbal housing and shift it manually into fwd If you search the web for a manual you may find one

 

[Lancer76]

A manual is a very good idea. There are good instructions and videos in the Adult Only section of this forum (on sterndrive removal & shift calibration/adjustment). For the cable replacement, I read the material in the link below. I got the 5/16 sparkplug socket from Advance Auto and can afix a larger socket onto it for removing/installing the brass nut in the bell housing. Also, after removing the cable wire but before pulling the cable sheathing, I run a length of weed whacker line up through the old cable sheathing and tie it off at the engine. I use the weed whacker line so the new sheath follows the correct path when installing it.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about being g in forward at this point. You can put the dive n forward and align the shift shoe before the reinstall.

 

[achris]

Well, a 1985 drive is not a pre-alpha, because there is no drive called 'pre-alpha'... You have an MR, which is in all but name, an Alpha One.

 

[Ncguy88]

A manual is a very good idea. There are good instructions and videos in the Adult Only section of this forum (on sterndrive removal & shift calibration/adjustment). For the cable replacement, I read the material in the link below. I got the 5/16 sparkplug socket from Advance Auto and can afix a larger socket onto it for removing/installing the brass nut in the bell housing. Also, after removing the cable wire but before pulling the cable sheathing, I run a length of weed whacker line up through the old cable sheathing and tie it off at the engine. I use the weed whacker line so the new sheath follows the correct path when installing it.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about being g in forward at this point. You can put the dive n forward and align the shift shoe before the reinstall.

Thanks I tried to pull up the manual but couldn’t get it to pull up for some reason but I will try again tonight. I have the new cable ordered should be in Friday, I’ll I knock it out saturday. Thanks for the help!!

 

[Ncguy88]

Well, a 1985 drive is not a pre-alpha, because there is no drive called 'pre-alpha'... You have an MR, which is in all but name, an Alpha One.

yes I read that in the mercruiser info page. I knew that when typing the post but after reading other post that said pre alpha I typed it anyways :noidea: