Mercruiser IO shift crank problem

[ryanmech]

I have an alpha one outdrive and I believe the shift crank is installed wrong... the symtoms are
A. the drive will not shift when attached to the boat
B. when the shaft is facing for and aft the prop shaft locks to the right
C. as view from the top of the drive the shift shaft must rotate clockwise to change gears...

is there any other method to fix this other than complete disassembly of the lower unit I have the service manuals but it looks like a gigantic job....
Please help

I am a very capable mechanic just never taken apart a lower unit

 

[Dave.Mishchenko]

Re: Mercruiser IO shift crank problem

Was the drive removed and the reattached? If so did you have the unit and shifter both in forward gear when it was reattached (this assumes you have a single right hand drive)? Did you also ensure that the shift slide remained upright during assembly? Does the shift handle move at all?

> B. when the shaft is facing for and aft the prop shaft locks to the right
If the prop ratchets counter clockwise and locks clockwise then the lower unit is in reverse.

> C. as view from the top of the drive the shift shaft must rotate clockwise to change gears...

When the shaft is pointing straight forwards the unit is in forward gear. A bit counter clockwise (viewed from above) puts it into neutral and then a bit more puts it in reverse.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Mercruiser IO shift crank problem

A. the drive will not shift when attached to the boat

This could a shift cable or controller issue.
Have you read the manual and or read the manuals in the adults only section?
I have an idea that you are installing the lower unit wrong and that is the problem.

 

[Jim's 470]

Re: Mercruiser IO shift crank problem

I have had a shift crank actually pop off the centering post in the lower unit. If that is the case the unit will not shift regardless of whether the lower unit is on or off the boat. Also, it is no small job the replacethe crank if it is broken or off the centering post. Flat rate manual quote the job at $325 (+ or - a bit). If you undertake the job yourself you will new several special tools (I am not a big fan of "special tools" but believe me, you will need them for this job.

If your unit shifts properly when the lower unit is removed then you probably have a allignment issue with the upper asnd lower unit shift linkage. Not sure how thta could happn without jamming the reinstall of the lower unit but I guess that it is possible. I am also not sure but I think that installing the crank backwards is unlikely, maybe mechanically impossible. In any case it should be obvious even to the rank amateur if the unit does not shift properly before closing up the lower unit.

I suggest that you make very sure that the problem is in trhe lower unit before trying to repair it as it is no small job.

Best of luck, Jim

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Mercruiser IO shift crank problem

Whith the helm in foreward, the prop should lock into gear when turned ccw.....
In reverse, it will lock when turned clockwise ...
Anything else & you will need to pull apart the lower & upper & realign it properly....
This is accomplished by turning the shift crank cw while turning the prop ccw until it locks......
You then need to insure the intermediate shift shaft (on the upper) is facing directly foreward when the upper & lower are mated.......

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Mercruiser IO shift crank problem

the splined shaft is positioned fully clockwise for fwd and the prop locks when turned counterclockwise. the shaft turns counter to about 10:30 for neu, and turns counter to about 9:30 for rev and the prop locks clockwise
It is possable to install the shiftcrank reversed