alpha one reinstall, shifting problem

[HPLou]

alpha one Gen 1 s/n OF162054 & OF162055 ( twin engines )
Last season I removed both of my alpha one so I can do the maintenance during winter.
I changed oil and replaced water pump on both units. I have done this procedure several times on my previous boats without any
installation problems.
Before the removal I had no Shifting problems and the both cables were replaced last year.
This year, when time to reinstall both drives, I got into shifting problems on both.
I made sure I was in full forword and the shoe was facing towards the transom. I also locked the Prop CCW with a bungy.
When time the insert the shaft throught the gimball bearing it didn't exactly match the gear inside so I had to turned a bit the prop CW, I letgo the bungy, so it went in OK. I had to do this for both drives. Now my port side drive do not go into reverse at all. The Level stops at neutral position and does not move to reverse.
The Starboard drive does not shift the drive to forword or reverse both the level travels easy to full forword and reverse.
At this point I wanted to start at zero and readjust my cables with Achrist video.
If this does not work, do I have to remove the complete drives and start the install again ?
Can I fix my problems with ONLY removing the lower units?
If I have to remove only the lower units, do I have the drain the oil before ?
I will be going to my boat tomorrow all day to fix this issue.
Thank you for your help

 

[Bondo]

If this does not work, do I have to remove the complete drives and start the install again ?
Can I fix my problems with ONLY removing the lower units?

Ayuh,.... Have ya looked up from forward/ below to be sure the shaft foot, 'n shaft shoe are in proper engagement,..??

 

[Rick Stephens]

You mentioned that you turned the prop CW to align splines, that would force the drive out of gear. The only way to turn the input shaft is to turn prop CCW while in forward gear.

Yes, if you remove the lower you must drain the oil. No way I would remove just the lowers. Take the whole thig off and make sure everything is right before reinstalling.

Is possible you forgot to reinstall the washers on the lower shift shafts?

Rick

 

[HPLou]

Bondo
1st thing tomorrow,
I will check to be sure the shaft foot, 'n shaft shoe are in proper engagement

Rick
Is possible you forgot to reinstall the washers on the lower shift shafts?
I don't think I forgot since I had no extra parts after the job. But I can not garantie it's there.
If I have no other choice, I will have to separate both parts and start over again.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Without the washer the lower shoe will be too low to engage the upper shoe

 

[bspeth]

In addition to the above posts,did you rotate the lower shift shaft splines full clockwise before you mated the upper and lower units?If you moved the prop shaft while apart the they would have come out of gear. they can be out of forward with the shoe pointed straight ahead.

 

[HPLou]

I will be on my boat in about 3 hours to verify and try to fix.
The gasket beetween the gimball ring and the drive is new.
If I have to take the drive apart again, do I have to replace the gasket or if it is not damage can I reuse it?
When time to reinstal and the drive shaft spines does not match and don't want to go in, wath is the solution?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... I, personally, Never reuse a gasket, unless a silicone rubber one,.... it's a $6.00 gasket kit,...

Turn the prop counter-clockwise,...

 

[HPLou]

Bondo, The prop must be locked ccw and free cw. Do I have to force it ccw so it turns the shaft and then insert it into the gimball bearing?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Just late yesterday, I was stabbin' an Gen.II,....
It hung up at 'bout 2" short, I turned the prop CCW a smiggin', I felt the spline align, 'n it slid right on,....
I also use a bungee strap to hold tension on the prop, holdin' it against the shift dogs,...

If the prop is turned clockwise, it kicks into neutral,...
It don't turn easy CCW 'cause yer turnin' the whole drive, impeller included,...

 

[Bt Doctur]

Pour some soapy water, non-tox AF ,etc into the water inlet of the drive. Rotate input shaft CCW to lube impeller because your going to turn the impeller backwards to align the splines with the prop . Keeps the impeller from flipping

 

[stonyloam]

For the one that does not shift at all, sounds like the washer under the lower ss is missing or dished. For the other it sounds like the roller under the upper shift shaft lever may not be captured by the two projections on the shift slide.

 

[Baja Boater]

I would start with the shift cable adjustments. I have a similar problem and the adjustments seem to help. Not 100 % positive yet ... but there is an adjustment on the lower cable and then do the adjustment on the upper cable ( the one that comes from the control box ) . I find ... contrary to the procedure in the Seloc manual ... that the position of the threaded shaft the lower cable connects to seems to work better giving maximum throw to the shift cable. Worth looking at anyway.
Mine is a 3.0 4 cly shift plate assembly attached to the valve cover. ...

 

[HPLou]

I went to the boat yesterday and decided to remove both drives and start all over. The port side drive was out of gear and the shaft shoe was not pointing straight. I did what you guys sugested, I turned the prop ccw while trying to insert the shaft and hear a click. It when in like butter.
For the starboard drive, the roller under the upper shift shaft lever was not in. All my install is ok now.
Thank you all, you have made me save lots of money, if I had to call a Pro!