Difficulty adjusting shift cable for both forward and reverse

Chris1956

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Mar 25, 2004
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28,189
I have a '88 Alpha 1 gen I outdrive that is progressively getting a shifting problem. Last year, my lower shift cable went bad (corroded enough so it wouldn't go in reverse), due to loss of the welsh plug on the OD. I fixed the welsh plug, and installed the new cable and everything worked well (3+ months) until winter shut down the season. This spring I needed to adjust the lower shift cable to have both reverse and forward, but it worked OK for 2-3 months. Now after some more fine tuning, I just bearly have forward and reverse. It seems like it takes more cable travel to reach both gears than is available in the shift mechanism. If there some adjustment I overlooked, that extends the "throw" of the cable? Is there some part that wears out and causes this behavour?
 

Laddies

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Sep 10, 2004
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Re: Difficulty adjusting shift cable for both forward and reverse

There is a slot where the outter shift cable attaches to the lever that adjusts for travel the closer the 2 cables are together the more travel you will have
 

Chris1956

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Re: Difficulty adjusting shift cable for both forward and reverse

Laddies, thanks. I noticed that slot in the shift mechanism, but I think I adjusted it incorrectly. :|

My Clymer manual also never mentioned it as an adjustment. They were actually pretty vague on the whole adjustment process. The process of installing the lower shift cable was actually fairly detailed to my amazement.d:).

I also added some preload to the throttle cable to allow the shift cable more travel, prior to throttle advance.
 

Don S

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Re: Difficulty adjusting shift cable for both forward and reverse

My Clymer manual also never mentioned it as an adjustment. They were actually pretty vague on the whole adjustment process.

Between what they leave out and what misprint, you're lucky to have it work any direction.
Here is a link to the Mercruiser service manual (Free).

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

Section 2 will give complete details (With pictures) on how to properly adjust the cable.

Here's section 2 http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6A2R3.PDF

outhouse.jpg
 

Laddies

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Re: Difficulty adjusting shift cable for both forward and reverse

d:)d:)8)Don
 
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