pls help boat won't shift into reverse

[ericb269]

Hi guys it's the rookie posting again. So ad the title says my boat will not shift into reverse. A little back ground I recently pulled the transom off to replace the sea pump. Upon reassembling I noticed that I had a extra washer from my kit and did some research and found out it was the washer that goes over the shifting mechanism along with the rubber washer. So I installed it and reassembled the lower half. I thought all was good because the throttle up front felt awesome it had slack before now it felt like it engaged right away. But when I shift into reversed it locks into gear but I can't give t any throttle so I am super confused any help would be great.

 

[achris]

Re: pls help boat won't shift into reverse

Let's start with what you're working on.... Make, Model, year, serial numbers.

Chris.....

 

[ericb269]

Re: pls help boat won't shift into reverse

It's a 1980 Bayliner admerality I believe it is a alpha 1 out drive.

 

[achris]

Re: pls help boat won't shift into reverse

It's a 1980 Bayliner admerality I believe it is a alpha 1 out drive.

Not the boat, the engine. Would like make, model ect, ect of the ENGINE/DRIVE you're working on... Doesn't much matter which boat it's in...

Chris....

 

[ericb269]

Re: pls help boat won't shift into reverse

I thought this was the mercruser i\o section but it's the 3.7 with a alpha 1 mercruser outdrive. Sorry I am pretty new at this

 

[achris]

Re: pls help boat won't shift into reverse

Not a problem. Over the years Mercruiser have produced a huge list of engines and drives. Most are quite different to each other. Your 3.7 litre engine alone was available in about 5 different forms (and that was only from 1976 to 1989). I have listings that start in 1963 and go all the way up to today, and that includes petrol and diesel engines too. And the drive you have, comes with no less than 12 different ratios. Hence the requirement to be very specific about what you have.... And why we are always asking for engine and drive serial numbers.... BTW, find them, write them down and add them to the first post in any new thread you start... When you do that, people who are most familiar with your particular engine/drive package are more likely to jump in and offer advise...

Ok.. that's out of the way..

Did you remove the entire drive, then split them; or just remove the gear housing (lower half)?

Either way, it sounds like you missed the correct spline orientation of the lower shift shaft into the intermediate shift shaft... You need to split the drive again and get the shafts lined up right. Put the controller in forward and the gear housing in forward and off you go.

Chris......

 

[ericb269]

Re: pls help boat won't shift into reverse

That's how I did it made sure the drive was locked in toward gear and the throttle was in forward position and everything line up and slide right I.. is there anything else that could have gone wrong.

 

[achris]

Re: pls help boat won't shift into reverse

Did you take the complete drive off, or just the gear housing?

 

[ericb269]

Re: pls help boat won't shift into reverse

The complete drive twice lol because the first time I did not pay attention of the shift alignment and could get it to go back on then realized what I did took it off and took special care to make sure I had everything.g lined up.

 

[achris]

Re: pls help boat won't shift into reverse

Did you check the correct engagement before you put the drive back on the boat? That is, turn the shift shaft (the shoe that engages the upper shift shaft (the on in the bell housing) CW while turning the propeller CCW. The prop should have 'locked' and the shoe on the shift shaft pointed straight ahead. Then turn the shift shaft CCW while turning the prop CW. It should have 'locked' again, but with the shift shaft shoe facing the port (left) side of the drive, almost at right angles....

If that test proved to be good, then the shift slide (in the bell-housing cavity) may have turned and disengaged the arm on the top of the upper shift shaft.

Easiest thing to do is pull the drive off again (I know that sounds like a hard ask, but I'm afraid it's got to be done) and do the first check. If that's ok, then put it back on (again with everything in forward) and pay particular attention to the slide, make sure it's engaged the arm properly and it doesn't tip over....

Chris......

 

[ericb269]

Re: pls help boat won't shift into reverse

Chris is it possible the spoon is in backwards in the transom

 

[stonyloam]

Re: pls help boat won't shift into reverse

There are only three things that will go wrong when installing a Alpha I. Need to answer a few questions to diagnose. 1) Does the control lever move freely back and forth, or does it jam when you try to pull it back. 2) With the control in forward, if you try to turn the prop does it lock when you turn it clockwise or counterclockwise. Those answers will tell a lot.

 

[ericb269]

Re: pls help boat won't shift into reverse

Got it figured out Chris thank you for all your help had to move the lever over one tooth and it worked like a charm. I have one more problem but I will start another thread thx again.

 

[achris]

Re: pls help boat won't shift into reverse

Chris is it possible the spoon is in backwards in the transom

Really wish I knew what this meant....