coupler or shifter cable??? pre alpha mercruiser

[codyandamber]

I have a 79 mark twain with a 305 and mercruiser drive. I can get it in gear if I adjust it all the way to one side...either all the way forward or all the way reverse. I have not done this in the water, yet. Basically, if I pull on the cable and have someone stand behind the boat and spin the prop, it will go into gear. Would it make sense that the shift cable has stretched over time? If it was the coupler would I still be able to get it in gear? Or is there something else I have not looked into, yet? I am inclined to think it is a worn cable. Have you guys ever heard of a cable stretching like that? Any help is always greatly appreciated.

 

[Trent]

Re: coupler or shifter cable??? pre alpha mercruiser

Very common problem and your right! Time to change the lower shift cable. If the coupler was bad your engine would overheat and also over rev due to spinning. Check these links out.<br /><br /> Cable Replacement <br /> Cable Adjustment <br /><br /> Shift Cables

 

[codyandamber]

Re: coupler or shifter cable??? pre alpha mercruiser

last question for future reference:<br /><br />if the coupler goes bad would I be able to get the boat in a gear at all???

 

[codyandamber]

Re: coupler or shifter cable??? pre alpha mercruiser

I don't think I fed you the right info before.<br />My partner and I were not on the same page.<br />Here is the updated:<br /><br />With the engine cranked and in gear it will not spin the prop.<br />With it in gear as far as I can get it...when I physically try to spin the prop it is tight but it will spin both ways. It is a smooth spin. Not like it is hitting on any broken teeth of a gear.<br />I just had the prop refurbed.<br />There is not a ding on it, so I know I did not hit anything.<br /><br />This is how it all happened.<br /><br />I ran for about 25 min at 20-35 mph<br />I pulled into a marina.<br />I kicked it out of gear to slow down.<br />I put it back in gear. It went fine.<br />I kicked it out again.<br />And then tried to put it in again. This time nothing. It just reved. <br /><br />What should I try now???

 

[Trent]

Re: coupler or shifter cable??? pre alpha mercruiser

Again...Did the temp go up? Look at the back of the engine for "rubber dust" If so its most likley the coupler. <br /><br />Try disconnecting the shift cable and see if you can manual shift. Im not their but I think you have a common problem.

 

[codyandamber]

Re: coupler or shifter cable??? pre alpha mercruiser

All in my bilge there SEEMS to be black particles. This could be because my bilge is dirty. It looks like it could be rubber, though. <br />I am just hoping it is not the outdrive. Pulling the motor or replacing the shift cable would be very easy compared to the price of repairing the o/d. Oh yeah, the temp did go up. I meant to mention that the two times before. It would spiratically go up to about 190 or so while I was running in the river, too.

 

[codyandamber]

Re: coupler or shifter cable??? pre alpha mercruiser

It would still get hot if it wasn't the coupler, right? What I mean is if there was something wrong in the out drive it would still get hot?