1987 230HP Mercruiser Stalling issue?

[ORsouthpaw]

Hi all!

This is my first post here at iboats. My question is what could vbe causing my new to me boat to stall when shifting out of gear and into neutral?

I recently aquired a Blue Water Eagle w/ the 305, 230hp Merc./Alpha One combo. the boat starts easily, Idles fine, Revs fine. However when it goes into gear the rpms drop down then bounce back. After your in gear and you shift back into neutral the rpms drop and it dies. Again the motor runs great and there are no problems with acceleration, gear engagement or anything else other then dying when going back into neutral. It doesn't matter if your coming from either forward or reverse. Any ideas on what could be or what I can do?

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: 1987 230HP Mercruiser Stalling issue?

OR, Mercs have a shift assist look here:
http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=51388

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: 1987 230HP Mercruiser Stalling issue?

My F-I-L is having the same prob. with his 250hp merc with 350 chev. (dies going into neutral) The article you linked to sounds good, but exactly WHERE is this shift assist switch? At the controls? At the drive? Sounds like a simple enough adjustment if I can find it! Thanks!

PS: He has the dual-lever controls, single motor.

 

[b00tstrap]

Re: 1987 230HP Mercruiser Stalling issue?

There are several things that can be in play here. I just resolved this issue (last week!) on my 88 merc 5.0L by replacing the lower shift cable.

I found this site very helpful

[url]http://www.outdriveshop.com/replace_alpha_shiftcable.html [/url]

I also posted a few things about some special tools I made to get the job done. Search the forums a bit.

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: 1987 230HP Mercruiser Stalling issue?

BTW- Welcome Aboard OR!:$ 8)

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1987 230HP Mercruiser Stalling issue?

Ayuh,.......
When I read this,.....
My 1st Thought is the Lower Shift Cable has Bit the Dust......

You May,.. Or May Not have a Shift Assist,...
If you Do,....
It's mounted where the Lower Shift Cable,+ the Forward Shift Cable Meet......

 

[ORsouthpaw]

Re: 1987 230HP Mercruiser Stalling issue?

Thanks for the quick replies, Sounds like I'm not the first one with this problem on my older Alpha One. I'm thinking about taking it in for a tune up. Is this lower cable something that is reasonable to have done or is it easy enough that I should just do it myself?