Alpha one not engaging in reverse cleanly

[crazy charlie]

1988 alpha one drives with 5.0xl mercruisers rwc.Shifts into fwd very cleanly but reverse is not as clean.Everythings in good shape nothing old and my shifting is not too tentative...(most of the time).I am prepared to turn the top barrel on the shift cable a turn or two and recheck shifting in fwd and rev.Does this sound right??? Charlie

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha one not engaging in reverse cleanly

1988 alpha one drives with 5.0xl mercruisers rwc.Shifts into fwd very cleanly but reverse is not as clean.Everythings in good shape nothing old and my shifting is not too tentative...(most of the time).I am prepared to turn the top barrel on the shift cable a turn or two and recheck shifting in fwd and rev.Does this sound right??? Charlie

Ayuh,.... It's either a bad cable, or bad adjustment Charlie,...
I'd say yer headed the Right way...

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Alpha one not engaging in reverse cleanly

Setting the cable properly is a little more than that, track down Mercruiser Manual #10 to find the proper procedure. Adjusting it will probably resolve the issue, but there is a chance it may be the lower shift cable also.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Alpha one not engaging in reverse cleanly

You may need to adjust the post instead of the adjustment screw. I will see if I can find a picture to show what I am talking about....

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Alpha one not engaging in reverse cleanly

Take a look here: http://www.perfprotech.com/store/app_themes/ppt/images/tech-specs/alpha-shift-adjust.pdf start at p.89 Good luck.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Alpha one not engaging in reverse cleanly

Not an easy question to answer. Many variables to consider. Use the manual. Adjusting the post ONLY adjusts the amount of throw in reverse. If you are hitting forward too hard post adjustment can cause problems.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Alpha one not engaging in reverse cleanly

Here's the stud I was referring to:

And yes, there is certainly more to it than simply adjusting this stud. BUT adjusting this stud is part of the process that many seem to forget.

 

[hoot]

Re: Alpha one not engaging in reverse cleanly

http://www.mercstuff.com/images/shiftcable.jpg

I used this and it worked for me.