Mercruiser 888 Prop & Lower Shift Cable Questions

[Apollo75]

All went well with installation of lower unit --- Thank You -->ZIGGY

1975 888 serial# 42....

Tried to install new Solas Prop 4-blade 14-3/4" x 15" part number 1513-148-15 that I purchased to replace my three blade with nicks in it --- my fault

Prop will not go down far enough to install splined washer onto splines --- checked everything --- remove thrust hub and the prop goes all the way down --- is there a thinner or smaller thrust hub I need ?

Also, when I turn the prop in neutral I hear what sounds to be like a faint clicking/rubbing of the sliding shift clutch --- only thing I can think of that might rub --- is this normal or do I need to adjust the shift cable or replace said cable ?


Thank you for your kind attention

OFM

 

[ziggy]

Re: Mercruiser 888 Prop & Lower Shift Cable Questions

is there a thinner or smaller thrust hub I need ?

yes. i switched from a old fan blade style prop to a newer black max type prop when i got my boat. the old prop required the thicker thrust washer. the black max required a thinner version of the same washer. while i don't know which is which. here's a link to some different ones. http://www.iboats.com/Mercury_Thrus...7041117--**********.660483850--view_id.271518
fwiw, i just went to my local dealer and he had what i needed on hand... there is different thickness' of that washer..

when I turn the prop in neutral I hear what sounds to be like a faint clicking/rubbing of the sliding shift clutch --- only thing I can think of that might rub --- is this normal or do I need to adjust the shift cable or replace said cable ?

when in neutral, nothing should click. it should free wheel in either direction w/o sound or feel. do you have any idea on age of the shift cable. on my 75 i replaced it. near sure it was the original one too. had the old fore side of the bell housing style installed cable on it. which i believe is nla. the new style installs from the aft side of the bell housing. it works fine but ya gotta tap the screw threads a little on the aft side of the bell housing using a npt that's straight. no taper. special tool.

you can test your shift cable by removing it from the shift plate inside the boat and operating it with your fingers. it should move very easy and smooth. if not. might be time to R&R it...

glad yer install went well. it's great when a plan comes together...

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser 888 Prop & Lower Shift Cable Questions

ya gotta tap the screw threads a little on the aft side of the bell housing using a npt that's straight. no taper. special tool.

If you do get the tool, make sure you buy a NPS (National Pipe Straight) - not a NPT (National Pipe Tapered). Not to bust Ziggy's chops, but there is no such thing as a straight NPT.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Mercruiser 888 Prop & Lower Shift Cable Questions

Other problem that may be instead of shift cable...If boat has ever been in salt or brackish water (or sandy river for that matter) corrosion/silt can build up in the shift slide cavity and prevent slide from moving all the way, either direction. Pull drive and check this. With drive off you can check the operation of the short cable too.

 

[Apollo75]

Re: Mercruiser 888 Prop & Lower Shift Cable Questions

Thank you all for the good advice.

I checked everything and filled it with lube, bought a long hose assembly for my grease gun and greased stuff I couldn't get at before with a straight fitting, oiled everything that moves or pivots. I then moved the shifter back and forth a few times. Don't hear the clicking anymore and the prop spins free in neutral.

Ran on muffs a couple of minutes, cools fine, rechecked out-drive lube okay, and spun prop feels good.

This will be my second year winterizing --- I think I will try draining and filling with anti-freeze this year --- may prevent some rust and increase the life of something --- worth trying. I will also pull my out-drive, remove the impeller, and keep the out-drive in the garage. Then, next season I will learn how to use the alignment tool, check everything for wear, and adjust things.

My out-drive mechanic -- step-son is a boat mechanic who I can never get on the phone -- moved out of the area last year. I did not remove the out-drive last year and did not lube the u-joints or check alignment like I learned I am supposed to do from the good advice on this forum.

OFM

_____________________________________
"If the boat is not sinking or on fire ---- Relax."

 

[cr2k]

Re: Mercruiser 888 Prop & Lower Shift Cable Questions

Unless you put a hundred hours on your boat every season, you can get away with not pulling the drive that often. -- Not saying you should not maintain your boat. -- Just that we get boats that have not had the drive pulled for 5 years or more and in lot of the cases it is of little or no consequence. But for the $6 gasket and the hour it takes it is well worth the time and effort. If for no more than peace of mind. Plus checking the alignment regularly is always good.

Your 888 has a zerk for the outdrive shift shaft too (starboard side of drive). Just don't over grease it, cuz that excess grease has to accumulate somewhere. As for the gimbal I go with 8 15 pumps depending on how often it's done. You want enough to purge any moisture form the $100 bearing and there is plenty of room in the bellows for the excess to go.

 

[Apollo75]

Re: Mercruiser 888 Prop & Lower Shift Cable Questions

Thank you for that advice. I very rarely put 100-hrs on the boat with the engine running. I sit and fish a lot, also troll at low rpm a few hours a month. I use Sta-Bil for my fuel and she still gets water in the fuel --- don't run enough fuel through her I guess to keep the water out. I use premium fuel and it does not have a sticker on the pump like the other fuels at the station saying it has ethanol --- but it still might and that may be why I am picking up water.

Can you get to that shift zerk fitting without removing the outdrive ?

I remember when I tried greasing what I thought was the gimbal bearing it would not take grease --- I will try again in the morning before I go out.

I have found a 1974 351W truck engine that I think I will go through --- I like building HP engines and think I will aim for an easy 300-hp with a normally aspirated single 4-barrel. The little 302 is getting old and has a little piston slap when she is cold ---- cylinder walls may be getting a little thin too

OFM

_____________________________________
"If the boat is not sinking or on fire ---- Relax."

 

[Apollo75]

Re: Mercruiser 888 Prop & Lower Shift Cable Questions

Update;

Went to lake yesterday ---- > running great and a lot cooler

I would like to thank you all for your time and attention.

I did work on the gimbal bearing grease ----> I pumped it a few times --- really hard but I didn't give up ---- then got real easy for a few pumps like moving air --- then grease gun started feeling normal again so I pumped it about 8-more times. I feel better about it now

Yeah, I will pull the out-drive and check everything to be sure ---- it will make me feel better knowing everything is checked, aligned and lubed with new seals and gaskets.

I think I may have increased a few rpms with the Quicksilver High Performance Gear Lube ---- > but the wife made me slow down


OFM

 

[jtybt]

Re: Mercruiser 888 Prop & Lower Shift Cable Questions

cr,
You're the only other mechanic I've seen or read (other than me) that has mentioned the cavity that gets clogged by debris.


Have you seen the shift spool worn in half, too???

 

[Apollo75]

Re: Mercruiser 888 Prop & Lower Shift Cable Questions

Thanks ZIGGY;

I found the proper thrust washer and installed the new prop. The parts man said he didn't have the other style trim tab and that I didn't need one. Well, I decided I did for torque or steering or something and filed that one down so the prop would clear and an extra quarter inch in case it moves to the rear more than expected in reverse.

As far as how old the lower shift cable is I don't recall. Never save my receipts for more than a couple of years as they are not tax deductible ---- maybe I should have entertained on my boat

I just said fix whatever it needs ---- never been anything real big as I repaired everything except the "big black thing on the rear"

Your a steely eyed stern-drive man


Best Regards

OFM