Shift problems

[FW0804]

I have a 87 Four Winns, mercruiser alpha one. I read in the manual that if you move the shift lever between fwd and reverse it should affect the way you can turn the prop. When I move the lever to full foward or full reverse it only turns clockwise with the boat off. Am I reading something wrong or how do I troubleshoot this? I was at the lake yesterday and it would either not go anywhere, or if I started it and it went forward it would only go forward even if I moved the lever to full reverse. Very weird. Can someone point me in the right direction?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Shift problems

I`d start by removing the drive and inspect everything

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Shift problems

When I move the lever to full foward or full reverse it only turns clockwise with the boat off

I guess you don't mean with the boat OFF THE TRAILER?


You must mean with the engine NOT RUNNING.


If the prop ONLY turns clockwise (BY HAND?) with the engine off regardless of where the control is selected:

Do you hear a clicking sound while turning the prop? (CW)

AND if you cannot turn it CCW this means it IS in FWD gear all the time.

If you can get it into REV, and everything is working properly......You can turn the prop CCW (and hear clicking as the clutch-dogs slide over each other) but you SHOULD NOT be able to turn it CW (unless you remove the spark plugs......it'll still be fairly hard to turn too)



I would also say you need to look closely at the drive after checking out the lower shift cable (all the shift cables and mechanism too)

 

[FW0804]

Re: Shift problems

I didn't install the drive properly and broke the intermediate shift shaft... any special tools required to install that?

 

[FW0804]

Re: Shift problems

I bought the shift shaft and it's installed....but I figured I should check my impeller while I had the lower unit off. Can someone take a look at the attachment and tell me if that's normal? I would think it would fit in there without having to bend.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Shift problems

It only fits if it is bent. If it remains the same bent shape if it is removed it should be replaced. Those fins are straight and flexible when new.

 

[FW0804]

Re: Shift problems

Ok replaced the impeller. Following instructions in manual to reinstall lower unit and it's referencing a drive shaft o-ring. I never saw one come off and I checked to see if the o-ring was stuck in the seals but it wasn't. I just bought a bell housing gasket and it came with a couple extra o-rings. If any of those fit the drive shaft...is there a problem with using one?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Shift problems

and it's referencing a drive shaft o-ring.

Ayuh,... Later models don't use the top oring...

 

[FW0804]

Re: Shift problems

There IS a groove on the drive shaft where an o-ring would go. It's a GEN1 but where the drive shaft goes into the upper unit there is some type of seal there but its held in place. So I should be okay just installing it without the o-ring?

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Shift problems

I have read many many posts of guys that have left this O ring off, I however feel that if your older model had one, use one.

I personally did.

 

[FW0804]

Re: Shift problems

I bought this boat last year, so I am not sure what the guy before me did to it. Maybe it had an o-ring and he didn't put it back on when replacing the lower unit, or maybe it didn't have one. Is it also possible that the lower unit was replaced with a slightly older model, with the older drive shaft with the groove? Maybe I'll pick one up just to be safe...

 

[FW0804]

Re: Shift problems

I'm hoping to get everything put back together today. Can anyone tell me if it's critical that the o-ring go on the drive shaft? If so, I'll definately get one but if not than I'll go ahead and put it back together.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Shift problems

If so, I'll definately get one but if not than I'll go ahead and put it back together.

Ayuh,.... Put'er together,... it'll be Just Fine....