Pre-Alpha shifting into Neutral

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Scott in MN

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I just installed a new lower shift cable and adjusted the cable and interupt switch per the Mercruiser manual. Lower shift cable mounting stud on the shift plate is in its bottom position and I've got the 6" measurement when in forward. Shift interupt roller appears to be in the center lobe position when in gear and it has 1/8" travel before closing.

When shifting from reverse to neutral it is hanging up in reverse. I have to push the cable (remote) a little into forward to get it out of reverse. It works fine shifting from forward into neutral just coming out of reverse is where I have the problem.

Any suggestions on a fix for this? Move the mounting stud? Change the 6" measurement a little? Thighten up the shift interupt travel a hair?
 
S

Scott in MN

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Re: Pre-Alpha shifting into Neutral

Bumping in the hope that someone around today might have an idea.

Also, I read about lubricating the pivot points on the shift plate. All I can think of is the pivot point on the arm where the ends of the cables connect. That rotates freely, and I don't have the cable anchor nuts too tight. How about in regards to the lobed plate that activates the interrupt switch? I guess that is suppose to freely rotate also right?
 
Haut Medoc

Haut Medoc

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10,645
Re: Pre-Alpha shifting into Neutral


Yes, itmust move freely........
Did you move the adjustible stud?.....
The measurement for pre alpha is 5-7/8 from the 'barrel' to the 'eye'.....;)​
 
S

Scott in MN

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Re: Pre-Alpha shifting into Neutral

5-7/8" !!?? That might be it right there. I set mine at 6". I thought that was what I had read in the manual.
 
Haut Medoc

Haut Medoc

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Re: Pre-Alpha shifting into Neutral


What year?.......
Are you referring to manual #1?.....:confused:​
 
Haut Medoc

Haut Medoc

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Re: Pre-Alpha shifting into Neutral


What does manual #3 say?......:confused:
I'd still try a little towards 5-7/8 & see if it helps.....;)
I forgot to ask, this happens in the water?​
 
S

Scott in MN

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Re: Pre-Alpha shifting into Neutral

Manual #3 seems to be the one that is not on line, therefore I don't have it. Guess I should try to get a copy. I'm assuming that one states 5-7/8" I'll redo the procedure in manual #6, Ch.2 but use 5-7/8" instead of 6".

Yes, I'm only testing it in the water.
 
kwoolard

kwoolard

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Feb 9, 2003
Messages
420
Re: Pre-Alpha shifting into Neutral

I fought a similar shifting problem with my Pre-Alpha outdrive for a while...replacing and adjusting cables and still had the problem. The one thing I didn't check, which should have been one of the first before replacing cables was the lower shift shaft in the drive. They came originally with a carbon steel shaft and the splines would wear out. The splines on mine were shot, replaced with the newer stainless steel version and shifted like a charm. The drive has to be removed to check this, but there is a spec in the merc manual for the amount of angular rotational play in this shaft. Mine was way out of spec. Just throwing this out there since they are prone to wear down.

Check out this link.

http://www.mercstuff.com/lowershiftshaft.htm
 
S

Scott in MN

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Messages
46
Re: Pre-Alpha shifting into Neutral

That Mercstuff site shows they switched to a stainless steel shift shaft in '78. So since mine is a '80, I should be OK.

thanks
 
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