Mercruiser 4.3 Alpha won't go into reverse

[cmala]

Hey guys.

I've been lurking around here since, just checked my profile, 2008 but I haven't posted much. I can usually find the info I need.

Anyway, I just picked up a 1990 mercruiser 4.3 - Alpha 1 and I'm having a few issues before I can even see how much work I have ahead of me.

It will shift into forward and then back to neutral but that's it. It will not shift into reverse.
I disconnected the shift cable from the bracket and tried to shift the outdrive into reverse by hand (pliers) where the shoe comes up into the little channel between the lower and upper drive housings but it wouldn't go into reverse. Even had my wife turning the prop while I tried to shift it and no luck.

I have opened the lower grease plug on the drive and zero water came out. It looked like good oil. No metal particles and no water.

Is it possible that my problem is the cable and if I pull the outdrive that I could shift it manually or am I most likely looking at something broken in the outdrive?

The cable has been replaced recently along with the boots and bellows from visual inspection.

This is my first I/O. I have done light work on previous 40 hp outboards but this is all new to me and I've jumped in head first.

I have a few other questions but I'll put them in other topics.

Thanks
Craig

 

[scarabite]

Id split the leg apart as if your going to replace the impellor, make sure its in forward gear. If you can manually shift it with your hand from there its a linkage issue if not its in the unit itself.

 

[cmala]

Ugh I dropped the lower unit and the same result. I can shift in and out of fwd but not reverse. I'm taking it to the shop tomorrow.

 

[cmala]

Ok, the shop has taken it apart and looked at it. They tell me that the bearing, I think the forward gear inner bearing, wasn't seated properly. They said that it looked like someone tried to grind it down to make it fit but it didn't fit. It was sticking out and causing everything to lock up. This is the needle bearing. It had Torrington B-1616 on it.

He said that the gear looked fine so hopefully the new bearing will press right in with no trouble.

Anyone ever seen this before?