Changed shift cable... it still will not adjust correctly

[codyandamber]

I just put a new shift cable in my '79 Mark twain. It has a 305 mercruiser. I can adjust it so it will go in either fwd or reverse, but it will not go in both. I have followed the instructions on mercstuff.com. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Skinsk]

Re: Changed shift cable... it still will not adjust correctly

It could be that your shift spool, down in the drive is worn and sloppy.. <br /><br />Of course you could also have a worn controll, not pushing and pulling the shift cable far enough. Or the cable from the controll could be worn out. <br /><br />Are you moving the drive shift cable end up and down in the slot on the shifter plate?<br /><br />Scott..

 

[codyandamber]

Re: Changed shift cable... it still will not adjust correctly

All I know is that I can shift it when I have the drive off. What do you mean by moving it up and down?

 

[Skinsk]

Re: Changed shift cable... it still will not adjust correctly

Where the shift cable that comes up from the drive connects to the cable coming down from the controll, they meet on a bracket, with a spring thing, and a roller switch. The cable that goes down to the drive is mounted to this plate at two points. One of them is a brass barrel that can be adjusted up and down, the other is on a stud that should be mounted in a slot. If you turn the nut on the stud that is closest to the plate, you will be able to move the stud in the slot. Often with mercuisers you will set the shift up like in the manual (6" while in forward, and 4 turns on the controll cable etc..), and still not get reverse, so you will then have to move the cable end up in the slot to pick up reverse.<br /><br />That is all..<br /><br />Scott..

 

[codyandamber]

Re: Changed shift cable... it still will not adjust correctly

I understand where to adjust it from the barrel. I guess my question now is how do I troubleshoot something else???