Re: reverse wonky on 1982 omc 800 outdrive
You may need to adjust the converter.<br /><br />Disconnect the shift cable, and remove the plastic alignment thingy.<br /><br />STOP<br />Remove the propeller!!<br /><br />Install the muffs turn on the water and fire it up.<br /><br />With the engine running, move the shift arm on the housing to the full forward position. Now, slowly move the arm back until the unit moves out of forward gear. Mark this position on the decal inline with the arrow on the shift arm. Mark on the housing if the decal is gone.<br /><br />Move the shift arm to the full reverse position. Move the arm back until reverse diengages and mark that position inline with the arrow on the shift arm.<br />Make a third mark right in the middle of those two marks. Stick out yer tongue and eyeball it. That mark will indicate neutral. The distance between the first two marks MUST be at least 21/32".<br /><br />Turn off the engine and go breathe some fresh air before you pass out from CO poisoning.<br /><br />Insert the cable back into the converterand leave the screws finger tight.<br /><br />Position the shift arm at the neutral position and put the end of the shift cable on the arm. If the shift arm moves off neutral, adjust the black knob on the anchor pocket until it slips on without moving the shift arm off neutral. After thats all set up then tighten everything.<br /><br />If it did not need adjustment then you have a problem. If it currently starts in gear, then it may be adjustment. <br /><br />You can now reinstall the prop. Please dont try this with the prop on the shaft.<br /><br />So after you've tried all that to no avail, then at least you learned something. Then shake your finger at the drive and whack it with a newspaper and say "BAD DOG!"
