Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

[snunez]

I'm going to be installing Alpha I drive after replacing shift cable. Does the drive need to be in forward gear?

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

Yes it does.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

And while you have it off check the alignment.

 

[snunez]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

So do l have to manually move the shifter shaft into forward? Why is this so critical?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

Yes move it to forward. If you don't then the shift linkage cannot slide together. Once you look at it you will realize why.

 

[snunez]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

I'll be installing it this coming weekend..
Thanks for all the Good help..!

 

[snunez]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

Well, I installed the sterndrive this past weekend and took it out to the lake. Ran boat for about three hours and worked great!! I did have to lower the idle because it was shifting to rough and that seemed to help. Before putting the boat back on the trailer I had to reverse and it kept on stalling. I wonder if I need to readjust the shift cable or turn up the idle a bit more?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

The cable does need to be adjusted correctly to work right. You don't want to simply raise the idle... unless it is below specs. But from the sound of it, you simply need to adjust your new shift cable.

 

[Squab]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

Make sure the throttle is in Forward and the outdrive also. I moved the prop the first time I reattached my drive and forced the drive on. This int-urn bent the shift linkage and i had trouble using reverse when the outdrive was in the up position. ( like when I beach her)

 

[dubs283]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

I wonder if I need to readjust the shift cable or turn up the idle a bit more?

you should not have to "re-adjust" the drive shift cable, you need to SET it at 6" in FWD gear upon installation

i hope you have the proper OEM manual for your drive??

#6 for alpha one, or #14 for gen II

the engine should be idling at 650-700 rpm in gear in the water

 

[snunez]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

I started up the boat last night and shift into reverse with out stalling. I did notice the controler lever has to travel down a quiet bit before it engages into gear forward/reverse..is that normal?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

"quite a bit" is a relative term. Did you adjust it according to the OEM manual when you installed the cable?

 

[snunez]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

Yes, I positioned the controller in forward position (max. travel of lever) and position the cable in forward, then I positioned the brass barrel to alight into pocket.
What I'm wondering is if I can position the controller lever a little less than max travel and adjust the barrel to that so that it engages sooner. What do you think about that?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

Yes, I positioned the controller in forward position (max. travel of lever) and position the cable in forward, then I positioned the brass barrel to alight into pocket.

There's more to setting the adjustment than that. It sounds like you have not in fact followed the adjustment procedure.

Did you set the lower shift cable at exactly 6 inches?

Did you read the part about putting the adjustable stud in the bottom of the slot? This is where you can make adjustments for reverse.

What I'm wondering is if I can position the controller lever a little less than max travel and adjust the barrel to that so that it engages sooner. What do you think about that?

You definitely don't want to start making random adjustments hoping it will work. Follow the step by step instructions.

Do you have the OEM manual either on paper or on your computer?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

If you do not have the manual, here is a page with a good summary of instructions - look all the way to the bottom of the page: shift cable adjust

 

[snunez]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

I think I have the wrong service manual. I have service manual 14. My sterndrive is MR/Alpha One.

I tried the 6" center to center and it didn't work. I had to adjust back again like I did last time. Full forward throttle adjust drive cable to brass pocket and then Full reverse throttle adjust drive cable to adjustable bolt.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

Well, you can do it however you want... but you have it backwards.

Take both cables off the shift plate - push the lower shift cable in while somone spins the prop. Put that cable at six inches. Install it on the shift plate. Make sure the control is in forward. THEN ADJUST THE CONTROL CABLE TO FIT THE SHIFT PLATE.

You do not adjust the lower shift cable to fit, you adjust the control cable to fit.

Then, If necessary, you can move the adjustable stud to get reverse. That may or may not be necessary.

 

[snunez]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

I was able to adjust the shift cable as you mentioned. It seems to be shifting okay in reverse also. The plan is to test the boat in the water this weekend.

Thanks for all the advice....

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Installing Sterndrive Alpha I (4 cylinder)

Good luck - let us know how it goes!