Mercruiser Type 1 Drive - Shifting Problems

[kwoolard]

I have an 888 mercruiser drive and I am experiencing shifting problems that I thought were fixed. I'll start by telling you what I have done/replaced to fix the problem. <br /><br />I have replaced both upper and lower cables, the shift arm and upper shift shaft and bushings, and a new control box. <br /><br />I've gone through the adjustments hundreds of times to make sure I have everything correct. I just can't seem to get both gears to work. I can either adjust it to work in forward/no reverse or reverse/no forward. Can't get both. It seems as if I am not getting the travel in my shift mechanism and there is alot of loose play up there. I can adjust it to where I have forward and reverse just wants to grind. I can then barely move the shift mechanism while the clutch is trying to engage, and it will go into gear. What do I need to do to fix this? Is it in the lower unit or is it on the shift plate?

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Type 1 Drive - Shifting Problems

May be the shift spool worn out inside the drive.<br />Go to page 41 to the section on isolating excess play in the link below. There is a template to make the scale on page 48.<br /><br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6C1R3.PDF

 

[kwoolard]

Re: Mercruiser Type 1 Drive - Shifting Problems

Thanks Don,<br />I figured that would be the place to start seeing that it happened before and after I replaced my lower shift cable. When I replaced my lower shift cable I converted over to the newer style installation and was wondering if that would cause any reason for not being able to shift into reverse once I found forward and vice versa, finding reverse but no forward? It just seems that if I could find one or the other, I have the proper travel, it is probably just some loose play somewhere keeping me from getting both gears.<br /><br />The section on isolating loose play with the degree template, I assume that is done with the outdrive off?