Mercruiser 165 shifting issue??

[auscarter12]

I just recently purchased an early 70s model Aristo Craft with a Mercruiser 165 I/O. I am having trouble shifting into reverse gear. The motor runs fine and will go into forward gear just fine, but when I try to shift into reverse gear the motor either dies or you can hear a grinding noise coming from the outdrive. The propeller will turn in the reverse direction but it still grinds. I'm thinking it is the clutch dog grinding trying to get into gear. With that said, the shifter on this boat is not the original shifter, the shifter is very loose, and the shift cables are way too long. But technically speaking the length of the cables shouldn't really matter. Does this sound like a gear or clutch issue in my outdrive? Or does this sound like a cable adjustment issue? Everyone I have talked to has told me it is most likely an adjustment issue, but I want to be sure. Also, with this being a pre-alpa outdrive, do any more recent outdrives bolt up to this one if I was to replace the outdrive? The gimbal housing was replaced at one point with a more recent set up, but the outdrive is still a pre-alpha unit.

 

[Bondo]

but when I try to shift into reverse gear the motor either dies or you can hear a grinding noise coming from the outdrive. The propeller will turn in the reverse direction but it still grinds.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... That sounds like a Bad, draggin', sticky lower shift cable to me,.... Classic symptoms,....

 

[ottawamerc]

I had a similar issue and I eventually found it to be the shift shaft in the lower unit had started to seize, looks like there should be a nylon bushing possibly in there but a previous owner had placed a steel shim in???

 

[auscarter12]

Bondo, do you think replacing the lower shift cable would fix this issue? And if so, should I replace the entire cable or just the internal part of the cable? I've never replaced a shift cable before so i'm not 100% sure on how to do it.

Ottawamerc, I'm really hoping it is just a shift cable issue! I havent removed the outdrive yet to look inside. I'm taking it to a guy tomorrow who claims he knows something about these boats, so fingers crossed!

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... The inner cable grows, 'n the outer casin' wears, ya Gotta do the entire thing,.....

Have ya seen the videos in Don'S Adults Only section, at the top of this forum,..??