Lower unit not going in gear?? Mercruiser alpha1 gen2

[gthoman]

Hello All,

I have a 1996 SeaRay 175 bowrider that has a mercruiser 3.0 alpha1 gen2 I/O. I disconnected the lower unit to replace the impellar. I followed directions to have it in forward gear before removing it and made sure to add bungies to keep the prop from moving. I put it back in and can tell its not in gear, prop will spin both ways in forward, actually seems to be wherever the handle is?? So have pulled it off again and trying to make sure they are both in the same gear(upper and lower) I pushed the handle all the way forward inside the boat, and had read somewhere that to make sure the lower unit is in forward gear, turn the prop counterclockwise while turning the shift shaft clockwise and when the prop locks in place it's in forward gear. Mine prop never locks in place, I can continue to turn the prop counter clockwise. Did I miss something? Is this the correct way to make sure the lower unit is in forward? Any help would be greatly appreciated
Gene

 

[Bt Doctur]

its almost impossible to not get a GEN II to slip up normally, Did the prop lock CCW ? Was the control box actually in fwd gear ? Meaning the receivers opening was in a straight line? If yes then you put it together correctly and the problem is elsewhere

 

[gthoman]

its almost impossible to not get a GEN II to slip up normally, Did the prop lock CCW ? Was the control box actually in fwd gear ? Meaning the receivers opening was in a straight line? If yes then you put it together correctly and the problem is elsewhere

Thanks for the reply, the prop did not lock CCW, thats where I "think" the problem is? I moved the shift shaft CW while turning the prop CCW but it never locked in(kept spinning CCW)...the shift shaft is facing forward so I assumed its in the forward position but shouldn't it lock? And not sure about almost impossible not to get it to slip in correctly because a slight movement of the prop CW moved the shift shaft out of forward. So if its suppose to lock, what could be the issue?

 

[Bt Doctur]

if you look at the receiver part, it must be in a straight line in full fwd gear.
The drive when in fwd gear locked .the top arm in in a straight line

 

[gthoman]

Thanks again for the reply, but not sure your understanding what I'm asking. My question is with the lower end removed should the prop lock in CCW position after the shift shaft is in forward?? Like its not able to spin anymore in CCW. At this point it doesn't matter what position the upper end receiver is in since its separated?? I understand once I put it back together the receiver should also be in a straight line

 

[nola mike]

. My question is with the lower end removed should the prop lock in CCW position after the shift shaft is in forward?? Like its not able to spin anymore in CCW.

Yes. You should be able to lock the prop when turning the CCW if the halves are separated

 

[Bt Doctur]

unless you also removed the shift shaft itself it will lock when turned clockwise in a straight line and the prop turned CCW

 

[gthoman]

Yes. You should be able to lock the prop when turning the CCW if the halves are separated

Great, thanks! So what could be the issue if I have the lower end sitting on a bench and turning the shift shaft CW and prop CCW and the prop does not lock? It seems the shift shaft is as far to the right(CW) as it can be(facing straight), but I can keep turning the prop CCW

 

[nola mike]

Great, thanks! So what could be the issue if I have the lower end sitting on a bench and turning the shift shaft CW and prop CCW and the prop does not lock? It seems the shift shaft is as far to the right(CW) as it can be(facing straight), but I can keep turning the prop CCW

does the prop lock in either direction if the shift shaft is turned all the way in both directions? Sometimes the prop needs to be moving a bit for the gears to engage.

 

[gthoman]

does the prop lock in either direction if the shift shaft is turned all the way in both directions? Sometimes the prop needs to be moving a bit for the gears to engage.

Will have to test that once I get back to the lake/boar, it's currently not at my house and hope to get to the lake in the next week or so, will update the thread once I start working on it again, but will try to keep it in first and see if I continue to go CCW with the prop if it will lock in place. I'll also try the other gears and see if it locks. Thanks again