3.0L Very Hard Shifting

[Wakeboarder141]

When my boat shifts into gear, forward or reverse, it james into gear very hard. The lever actually shifts very smooth, just the actual gear shifting jars the boat quite a bit. What can cause this and what should I check? Thanks.

 

[Trent]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

Whats it idling at? 600-700RPM? Try turning down the idle screw a little.

 

[badass]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

idle speed would be my guess does it have a stainless or alum. prop?

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

It is an aluminum prop. I'm not sure what it idles at as I just broke the drive belt yesterday and need to get that fixed before I can run it again.

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

Lowering the idle definitely makes it shift smoother. The only thing now is that it does not idle nearly as smooth at that low of an RPM. I have done all the tunu up stuff and a carb rebuild in the last 2 months. What else could cause that? Thanks.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

Idle set screws properly set?

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

The only screw I adjsted was the one that changes the idle. I just lowered it until the idle was where I wanted. Where would I find the idle set screws and how do you adjust them? Thanks.

 

[Trent]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

I think he is talking about the idle mixture screws at the bottom of the carb. Mercarb has only one mixture screw (rodchester has two). With the engine warmed up and in gear in the water adjust the mixture so the engine is running smooth. Then adjust the idle speed.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

Trent, yes that was what I was referring to.

 

[Schmoe]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

Try lowering the idle and check the shift linkage. These Alpha's use dog clutches, there will be a noticable "clunk" when shifting into gear. Shift as quick as possible too, helps.

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

When I lowered the idle a bit it shifted much smoother, but it doesn't idle as smooth as it does around 1k where it idles now.

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

I know how to adjust the idle, but where do I find the mixture screws? Thanks.

 

[98LarsonGM57]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

If that 3.0 is new to you, you should know that it inhearently is rough going into gear. I bought a new 03 3.0 and it was rough as hell compared to my 5.7 that shifts like butter. Dealer told me it was the design and not to worry about it. But as the guys have said a lower idle will mask it a little. <br /><br />Good luck.

 

[tommays]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

the 3.0 should idle around 650 rpm in gear if you keep shifting at 1000 the dog is going to break<br /><br />tommays

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

I agree with lowering the idle, but if that is what I need to do than I need to find a way to lower the idle where it won't run like it is going to die.

 

[tommays]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

service manual will be very usefull<br /><br />the motor was built to idle at that speed it may take a carb kit and a lot of cleaning but if done right it will idle correctly<br /><br />good ingition system condition is also very inportant<br /><br />when your done it will be so much easery to dock and other slow speed stuff it will well be worth the trouble<br /><br />tommays

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

I have done all the tunu up stuff and a carb rebuild in the last 2 months.

I don't understand..........<br />If You just Tuned the motor.....<br />And,<br />Just Rebuilt the Carb.........<br />How can you Not Know Where the Idle adjustment,+ Idle Air Adjustment Screws Are ????????<br /><br />If the motor Doesn't Idle Properly,<br />I'm thinking that you screwed up the "all the tunu up stuff and a carb rebuild" .............<br /><br />Good Luck........<br /><br />BTW, An Alpha outdrive will Never shift Into gear Smoothly......... By Design........

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

The actual carb rebuild part was not done by me. I know next to nothing about carbs so I didn't do that part of it. Kind of hard to screw up changing plugs, wires, etc. though.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

Your carb has 3 parts.Pull off the spark arrestor and look.The top is held down to the float bowl with several screws.The float bowl is held onto the carb base with screws you cannot see.The mixture screw is the one you can see on the base,and it has a spring on it.Turn in gentely until seated,back out 1 1/2 turns,run and adjust from there.<br />DHP

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Very Hard Shifting

Thanks for the description. I will check that out.