Mercruiser/Ford sifts in reverse, will NOT shift into forward

[naeemahmad]

Hi All,

I have a 1977 Mercuiser - Pre Alpha - Ford 302 Engine with Flybridge (2helms)

Quick Backstory: The boat was docked at Marina Del Ray and all was working regards to shifting. Moved the boat from Ocean to Lake Perris, CA.

Problem: Once in the water, boat will not shift into forward. It will shift into reverse fine, and engages. but when I try to shift forward, I can hear a almost engaging/grind sound.

Attempt 1: I changed the shifter cable that goes from the flybridge helm to the cabin helm, but I did not mess with the shift cable going from cabin to engine.

Attemp 2: I also removed the shift cables from the engine to shift manually, and it does not shift and will still make the grind sound.

Obsrevation: When I try to shift into forward, I can see the prop wanting to spin, but it does not actually engage and will only produce a "grinding" sound.

:facepalm: nyway, Can anyone please tell me what they think it may be aside from the shift cable, becuase it will not even engage manually.

Thanks for any help and guidence !!

Sleepless in my boat~

Fiberform~

 

[RJLeuwen]

Re: Mercruiser/Ford sifts in reverse, will NOT shift into forward

The cable that goes from the engine to the lower unit is broken (the outer sheathing seperates from the anchor point in the bell housing)

 

[dubs283]

Re: Mercruiser/Ford sifts in reverse, will NOT shift into forward

The cable that goes from the engine to the lower unit is broken

i doubt it is broken, if that were the case it would go into gear and STAY in gear

replace the lower shift cable, it is worn/stretched out

 

[naeemahmad]

Re: Mercruiser/Ford sifts in reverse, will NOT shift into forward

Ok. just to re-confirm.. the system will shift rather smoothly into reverse, but will not shift, no matter how far forward I push it, into forward.. I actually had to drive it in reverse from the marina to the launch ramps this weekend..

How embarrassing! :facepalm:

Can a bad cable still allow shifting into one gear and not the other, or will it stop shift into gears all together?

To change the shift cable from engine to lower unit (if im stating that correctly..) will I have to remove the out-drive with the 6 bolts?

Thanks for your rapid responses fellas'

 

[dubs283]

Re: Mercruiser/Ford sifts in reverse, will NOT shift into forward

Can a bad cable still allow shifting into one gear and not the other

yes - textbook example of bad shift cable

To change the shift cable from engine to lower unit (if im stating that correctly..) will I have to remove the out-drive with the 6 bolts?

yes, but put the drive in FWD gear at the helm then remove the trim pin at the aft of the drive and the six nuts and remove the drive

 

[RJLeuwen]

Re: Mercruiser/Ford sifts in reverse, will NOT shift into forward

Yes to both your questions

 

[naeemahmad]

Re: Mercruiser/Ford sifts in reverse, will NOT shift into forward

Great.. thanks for the guidence.. now I have a starting point.. Thanks for the help guys.. I will keep you posted on the outcome..

Heres a pic of the vessel ...

 

[imraan47]

Re: Mercruiser/Ford sifts in reverse, will NOT shift into forward

dont you have to take the bell housing to get the shift cable changed?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Mercruiser/Ford sifts in reverse, will NOT shift into forward

To change the shift cable from engine to lower unit (if im stating that correctly..) will I have to remove the out-drive with the 6 bolts?

Well I would not, not exactly in your particular case. In order for the intermediate shift shaft to slide out of the upper shift shaft the outdrive must be in forward gear (not just the control handle), the connection must be pointing straight ahead, but since you are not going all the way into forward (you are actually in neutral), you are not there, meaning the connection is at some angle and could bind when you pull the outdrive off damaging the shift shafts. To be safe you might be better off to drain and split the upper and lower halves before pulling the upper. When you drop the lower the shafts disconnect and will not be a problem.