Grinding into reverse?

[ccundiff12]

i have a 1982 searay v225. it has a 5.0L mercury engine with an alpha one drive. It seems that it is getting harder and harder to get my boat into reverse. Getting into neutral and drive is not a problem, however when i go to shift into reverse the outdrive will grind until i pull the throttle lever further back (at the same time reving the motor up too high for a controlled reverse. It seems that it is getting gradually worse also (having to pull further and further back over the entire summer) is there an adjustment for this anywhere? or is this a sign of outdrive problems?

 

[Don S]

Re: Grinding into reverse?

You might be able to adjust it, but that would only be a very temporary fix.
Most likely the lower shift cable is worn and won't go full movement both directions.

 

[ccundiff12]

Re: Grinding into reverse?

is the lower shift cable something that is easy to get to? i think that if an adjustment is only a temp fix than i think a replacement is in order before it goes into the water for the summer...

does anyone know if there are service or parts manuals floating around anywhere on the net for older mercruiser i/o's? the outdrive is a 1982 stock (searay merc alpha one), but the engine was changed to a 1986 230hp merc. i think it was originally a 260hp but it was changed just before i bought it because the old motor had seized.

 

[freelunch]

Re: Grinding into reverse?

What is the lower shift cable, i thought the mercruisers had shift shafts ?

 

[Don S]

Re: Grinding into reverse?

If it's actually an Alpha I then the complete engine and drive system was changed because the Alpha I drives were not out in 82, there is a manual for the Alpha models and some of the R and MR's but not the 82 one drives.
Here is the link.
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

 

[Don S]

Re: Grinding into reverse?

Freelunch

Mercruisers have 2 cables.
One goes from the helm control to the engine
The other one aka "Lower Shif Cable" goes from the engine to the outdrive and operates the upper shift shaft which operates the lower shift shaft in the drive.

 

[freelunch]

Re: Grinding into reverse?

Ahhh ok many thanks, I've been having all sorts of gremlins with getting my forward and reverse to work at the same time as well, maybe thats why.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Grinding into reverse?

Ahhh ok many thanks, I've been having all sorts of gremlins with getting my forward and reverse to work at the same time as well, maybe thats why.

The lower Shift Cable,..??..??.....
That would be My Guess.................