HELP! Can't get into gear - linkage problem?

[JPTL]

Early 90's 4.3 Mercruiser w/rebuilt Alpha 1. Getting ready to drop it in the water for our vacation up here in Maine. Kids & wife are ready to go, but my boat isn't
Engine starts fine and I can press the neutral button and increase idle w/no problem.

With the engine idling nicely, I decided to make sure it would go into gear. Good thing I checked this, because it won't. Even with moderate pressure on the shift lever. As soon as I attempt to shift into forward or reverse, the lower shift cable (the one going to the trans) resists/binds and the shift interrupter switch kills the engine. I didn't have problems w/shifting the last few seasons (ocean use). It's as though something has corroded preventing smooth shifting at the trans.
Is this a common problem?
Could it simply be a corroded shift cable?
I replaced the outdrive a few years back and I vaguely recall a cable attaching to a pivoting shifter...but I may be mistaken. It's worked fine the last few seasons, but could I have installed this incorrectly or failed to lube it adequately?
What can I check?
Does fixing this involve dropping the outdrive?
Any help w/this would be greatly appreciated by me, my wife, my kids & my Lab.

 

[Bondo]

Re: HELP! Can't get into gear - linkage problem?

Is this a common problem?

Ayuh,... It's a common problem in that every 5 to 8 years, the lower shift cable needs Replacing...

Your's is No Doubt due...

 

[JPTL]

Re: HELP! Can't get into gear - linkage problem?

Thanks for the quick reply. It hasn't been replaced in quite some time. For all I know it could be the original!
Is there a way that I can confirm that it's a bad lower shift cable?
What's involved in replacement? Splitting the outdrive?

 

[JPTL]

Re: HELP! Can't get into gear - linkage problem?

Now that I'm starting to look into the job of replacing the lower shift cable (which seems to be an undertaking), it appears that the drive does have to be removed prior. Step 1 seems to be to have the selector in forward gear. Problem is, it won't go into forward...so I can't remove the drive, right?
Any suggestions?
EDIT: As I'm here on vacation and won't have the time to get into this, I'm looking for a quick fix. I'm seriously considering this method.

 

[SteveH_1919]

Re: HELP! Can't get into gear - linkage problem?

I did a dumb thing with my boat. OK, who hasn't.

I had to remove the out drive. Dummy me, I put the out drive in neutral(pushed the center button) and pushed the shifter forward.

The out drive came off but it complained the entire time.

You may try liberal amounts of PBlaster, or a similar fluid to get the cable loose. apply liberal amounts of fluid and see if you can work the cable.
I have used this approach with stuck brake cables on the golf cart with success.

Good luck,
Steve

 

[JPTL]

Re: HELP! Can't get into gear - linkage problem?

Thanks for the suggestion, Steve. I know that it's a Band-Aid approach, but I'm considering PB Blaster to loosen up the cable, then a sprayable marine grease (if that exists) shot down into the cable so that we can use the boat this week.
Here's discussion on this

 

[Bondo]

Re: HELP! Can't get into gear - linkage problem?

I decided to make sure it would go into gear. Good thing I checked this, because it won't. Even with moderate pressure on the shift lever.

Ayuh,... If it's That Siezed,... I think your Way passed lubin' it up for a last lap....
My Guess is, it's Saltwater Siezed,... Torn cable bellows,..??
Trim it Up, lay on the ground,+ look Up at it...

Sorry... You can spary whatever you'd like on it/ at it,...
I doubt your goin' Boatin' til it's torn down for a rebuild...

 

[stonyloam]

Re: HELP! Can't get into gear - linkage problem?

it appears that the drive does have to be removed prior. Step 1 seems to be to have the selector in forward gear. Problem is, it won't go into forward...so I can't remove the drive, right?
Any suggestions?

The reason you have to have it in forward to pull it is that the intermediate shift shaft must slide out of the upper shift shaft coupling when you slide the outdrive back. That will only happen when both are facing straight ahead, in forward gear. If you can't put into forward, you can split the outdrive and drop the gearcase (lower). The intermediate shaft drops out of the coupling when you remove the lower, so you can then go ahead and pull the outdrive that is left on the boat. So short and to the point: Drop the lower then pull the upper.