I have a 1986 Seaswirl alpha one gen one 5.0 mercrusier that was given to me as a gift. When I received the boat all the bellows were torn and shift cable was replace because the sleeve covering the cable was broken and barely hanging with a few strands of metal. Before replacing the shift cable, the boat was shifting in all gears(neutral,forward, and reverse) fine. I replace the water pump and shift cable together. After putting everything back together, I could barely shift from forward to neutral. I have not touch the boat since because I’m trying to back track everything I did and see where I made the mistake. I am thinking that I might have installed the lower unit in the reverse position. But I did remember having the prop locked in Counter Clock wise while installing the lower back to the upper. Is it possible to install the lower in reverse and have the prop locked in Counter Clock wise position? The shift shaft was in the straight forward position and the lower unit went in that position while installing the lower unit back on. I adjusted the shift cable based on the information from a YouTube video by SEI. I did try adjusting it from other videos to but still no luck. I did also notice that the propeller will go from locked in Counter Clock wise to not locking at all while adjusting the shift cable and shifting out of forward to neutral then back to forward. Did I adjust the shift cable incorrectly? If so, what is the proper way of adjusting the shift cable?Where and what should I go back check on? How can I ensure the gear in the lower unit is in the forward position before installing it back on? I am reading threads on forums for proper installation of the shift cable and lower unit. I am stuck and would like some advise. Thank you for your time.
