Lost Forward gear-reverse still works

[utadventure]

We were testing the new tachometer we installed today. We got data on the first prop and headed back to the marina to change props, slowed in the dock area and suddenly, no forward gear but reverse still worked.

We used reverse to get to the load/unload area and took it out of the water and took it home.

Any ideas? I'm a novice with the boat so I need direction as to what to do.

 

[tommays]

Re: Lost Forward gear-reverse still works

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=220416

And just what DRIVE might we be trying to help you with

 

[utadventure]

Re: Lost Forward gear-reverse still works

I have a Mercruiser 120 Stern Drive powered by a Merc. 120 HP. With the motor off, i can put the drive in reverse and the prop stops when I try to spin it by hand but when I try try the same thing with the drive in forward it spins freely with a little bit of clicking.

I checked the fluid level in the drive and it was a little overfilled.

Thanks

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Lost Forward gear-reverse still works

Hi, welcome to the forum.

The Merc 120 setup could be any one of 3 drives. What is the year of the boat? Is the drive a Pre-Alpha, and Alpha-1, or an Alpha Gen. 2?

Get the serial number off your drive, and someone can identify it for you.

EDIT:
Actually, I think they quit making the 2.5 liter before the Alpha 2 came out. So you need to figure out if it's an alpha or pre-alpha. They're pretty much the same drive though.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Lost Forward gear-reverse still works

Cable might need to be replaced or adjusted i think. Check that cable from the throttle to the shifter converter.

 

[utadventure]

Re: Lost Forward gear-reverse still works

The boat is a 1968 Hydroswift. The Merc 120 stern drive is pre-Alpha from what I understand and the s/n is 2361507.

I pulled the engine cover and could observe the gear machanism on the inside of the transom shift from forward to reverse. I'm fairly sure that the difficulty is within the stern driver itself.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Lost Forward gear-reverse still works

The boat is a 1968 Hydroswift. The Merc 120 stern drive is pre-Alpha from what I understand and the s/n is 2361507.

I pulled the engine cover and could observe the gear machanism on the inside of the transom shift from forward to reverse. I'm fairly sure that the difficulty is within the stern driver itself.

That mechanism basically just controls another shift cable that goes down to the drive. That cable is called the "lower shift cable". You may need to adjust it, or replace it.

Do you have a manual?

 

[utadventure]

Re: Lost Forward gear-reverse still works

Thank Uraijit! I do have a manual (in really tough shape), I'll look up the lower shift cable and see what I can about fixing this.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Lost Forward gear-reverse still works

Thats a real ole girl. Don't know where you will get parts for that one. Yep i hope it's a adjustment.

Good luck keep us posted welcome aboard!

 

[utadventure]

Re: Lost Forward gear-reverse still works

I found a local mechanic that is familiar with my equipment!! He also believes it's the lower shift cable and also found some leaks in the bellow which is causing the boat to take on some water. So he's going to fix both at the same time. Not as bad as I thought it might be but still not cheap.

She may be on the old side but still runs pretty well. I think it's going to be a good first boat owning experience once we get past the initial problems.

Thanks for your input and I'll update the post after I get her back.

Dave

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Lost Forward gear-reverse still works

This is going to be a expensive proposition for you and real fast.

Here is my free advise: Sell it and get a brand new bayliner with a 3.0 17-18 footer.

Go to a boat show and you will get a better deal if you drive a hard bargain.

You don't work on your boat. New boat will give you 5 years trouble free service if you winterize it correctly and change the fluids correctly.

Good luck!

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Lost Forward gear-reverse still works

Bayliner?