alpha 1 gen 1 no forward or reverse

[6racer]

ok i got a 1990 searay on the lake 2 days ago running fine all of a sudden popped out of gear and revved up , since then i have no forward or reverse gear. took the lower drive off and i dont see anything wrong and i can shift it into gear and it locks in fine. what would cause it not to go in gear and what caused it it pop out while under a load. thanks guys

 

[alldodge]

Probably the lower shift cable needs replacing. You can try adjusting it but they wear out after so many years

 

[Bt Doctur]

engine coupler failure or the flat washer that goes on the splined shaft is missing

 

[stonyloam]

From how you described it, you did not "pop out of gear". Once you are in gear you are pretty much locked in until you pull it out of gear. So if the vertical driveshaft in the gear housing (lower) looks OK, it is probably one of the following: failed coupler (rubber separated from hub, or splines gone), or upper gears in the driveshaft housing shot, or not as likely a spun prop hub.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Was there any metal in the drive oil when ya drained it,..??

Did ya smell burnt rubber when ya lost propulsion,..??

Are the splines on the top of the shaft on the lower unit, Ok,..??

At this point, my guess is a blown prop hub,...

 

[6racer]

ok so after removing the upper found out that the drive coupler has no splines. so guess i found my problem, no do i really have to pull the motor out to replace? i just had the sum bish out last summer and dont want to take it out if i dont have to again . thanks a ton guys

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Ya gotta be able to get to it, 'n how far out ya pull the motor is up to you,.... but it is comin' out,....

 

[stonyloam]

You should not need to take the engine OUT, but you do need to lift it a bit and move it forward (or the boat back) enough to get to the coupler.

 

[Bt Doctur]

With the drive removed you must be able to lift the motor up and move it foward to have access. Couplers just dont go bad by themselves.
Engine mis-alignment from collapsed rear mount, loose rotted front stringers, or not checking alignment when installing a motor and believing in the
"mercruiser kick" to install a drive.

 

[6racer]

now im looking for the couplers and it seems they have updated them. but i keep seeing 2 different options as far as kits go. i got the 4.3lx motor can some1 point me in the right direction so i can get it ordered . thanks

 

[alldodge]

Here is the link for your motor
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/4-3lx-4-bbl-gm-262-v-6-1988-1992-0b

and here is the link for the coupler item 9 part number 18643A7
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/31513/951/190