Another shift issue

[kepjr777]

I just replaced the impeller on my 05 alpha one attached to a 4.3. It goes into forward fine, neutral...fine, reverse....not good. At first it wouldn't even go in and stalled the motor. Cranked her up again and she went in but with a lot of....not grinding but, I guess chattering. But I had to give it nearly half throttle to get it there and before it actually went into gear, the prop turned back and forth. When the lower is off I can turn the shifter and as long as it is in the full forward and full reverse position, everything is fine but if the shifter is moved just a little the prop will turn like in neutral. The shifter on the out drive...not the lower, has a little play in it which allows the shifter on the lower to move enough to come out of gear...I think.

Full disclosure: I just bought the boat and didn't put it in reverse before I started working on it. I did put it in forward and it was fine then. I don't know anything about working on boats but I'm pretty handy.

So, is the shifter on the out drive supposed to have "play" in it? Is the shifter on the lower supposed to be so sensitive? Did I do something wrong or do you think it was like this before and I was too stupid to put it in reverse before I bought it. I'm stuck. Please help...thanks.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Another shift issue

Do you remember to install the stainless steel washer over the splined shift shaft

 

[kepjr777]

Re: Another shift issue

Either I don't have what you're talking about or I never took it off because I'm not sure what you're talking about. The only thing I took apart that has splines on it is what I'd call the drive shaft, the big one that the impeller attaches to.

 

[kepjr777]

Re: Another shift issue

Maybe I'm using the wrong terminology...what I'm calling the "shifters" is the one that is bent at a 90 degree coming out of the forward/top of the lower and the part that it goes into on the out drive.

 

[kepjr777]

Re: Another shift issue

Ok, so I've been reading as much as I can on this site and something that stands out to me that might help someone "in the know" help me is this. Everyone seems to say that when the lower is in forward or reverse the prop is locked. Now does that mean the prop wont move in either direction? That's what I take from that. Well mine, when in forward or reverse, is only locked one way. It will spool the other way with clicking. Is that normal? When in neutral, it spools freely.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Another shift issue

When in forward you should be able to turn the prop clockwise and it will "lock" (not turn) if you turn it counterclockwise, in Neutral will turn either way, in Reverse, lock CW, free CCW.

 

[kepjr777]

Re: Another shift issue

That's what it does. However, when I turn it clockwise while in forward it clicks, same as when turning ccw while in reverse. I guess that's normal.

So I guess I'm back to my original questions of...what the hecks wrong with my boat?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Another shift issue

That's what it does. However, when I turn it clockwise while in forward it clicks, same as when turning ccw while in reverse. I guess that's normal.

So I guess I'm back to my original questions of...what the hecks wrong with my boat?

Clicking is OK, just like your socket wrench.
i am no expert, but sounds like a shift cable problem, either needs to be adjusted, or replaced.

 

[kepjr777]

Re: Another shift issue

Gotcha, thanks for the info. Now....is there a write up somewhere on how to adjust or replace the shift cable? Is it boat specific?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Another shift issue

Gotcha, thanks for the info. Now....is there a write up somewhere on how to adjust or replace the shift cable? Is it boat specific?

Since they have removed the mercruiser manuals... here is a site that has helpful info:

How to replace and adjust your shift cable.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Another shift issue

Here is one write up: http://www.sterndrives.com/replace_alpha_shiftcable.html and another with pictures: http://www.perfprotech.com/store/app_themes/ppt/images/tech-specs/alpha-shift-adjust.pdf. No it is not boat specific. Good luck.

 

[kepjr777]

Re: Another shift issue

Hey guys, thanks for all your help. From the looks of things I will just have to take this thing in. It looks to be beyond my expertise...even though I could do it if the instructions were a little better or if I knew someone that was here that could help me. I guess I'm just wimping out, which is a shame because I do ALL my own work on all my vehicles. This is my first boat and I don't want to break it more. Well, if I take the drive off will I realize what the instructions are talking about? I'm just so confused right now I don't want to start digging in, get stuck an it end up costing me more money than before.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Another shift issue

It's not so bad. Go to the adjust.pdf manual. Start at page 89, and just follow the steps for the adjustment (outdrive on boat). You can't hurt anything, since if you take it in they will just follow the same instructions anyway. Basically all you are doing is putting it in F and taking out any slack, then shifting into R to check and checking the cutout switch. Print it out and open up the cover and look. Have someone work the control to see what happens it will be clear as day (maybe). No wimps here.
P.S. you have a RH drive if in F the prop locks in the CCW direction.
If I seem a little pushy this afternoon, I have had a couple of whiskey soursMMMMMM.

 

[kepjr777]

Re: Another shift issue

Ok so I quit being a quitter. I followed the instructions and it all was going well until I dropped a dang cotter pin in the bilge and couldn't find it. Went to walmart...no dice. I will get some tomorrow morning and let you know how it goes. The in laws are here this week so I'll have plenty of time to work on it. Thanks for sticking with me. I really was being a wimp, that's definitely not me.

 

[kepjr777]

Re: Another shift issue

Got it!!! Thanks to everyone who helped. I did the entire shift cable adjustment and it worked perfectly. So I went to put my trolling motor on and it only had 4V going to the plug. Had to buy two new batteries and a new three way charger. Then I figured I go through the whole boat. Its spotless and works great....in the driveway with ears. I'll be putting her in the water tomorrow and I'll stay out for about an hour to make sure it doesn't over heat and runs good before I take the fam out. Anyway....thanks for all the help.