Shifter Rod? Shift problems.

[Boats-A-lots]

I have a 89 SeaSwirl Cobra 4.3. Three years ago the shifting became hard, so I took it to a shop and had the cable replaced. It didn't really shift smoothly, and has got worse over the years until last week end it wouldn't go into reverse, and then it wouldn't come out of forward.

I removed the red lower cable from the motor, and the shifter moved smooth as new. I pulled on the plastic end to see how much force it took and the cable broke off inside the plastic housing. (so I need a new cable now for sure). Motor running or not, with the cable hooked up, it was hard to shift.

So, (have more time then money now) I pulled the outdrive to replace the cable. (reading the threads on here on how to do that). As soon as I pulled the outdrive off, I could move the cable with one finger. (with it on, it was hard to move). So, now I'm thinking it's not the cable, but the shifter rod? Is this fork looking head suppose to move up and down easy? I can see rub marks on it.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Shifter Rod? Shift problems.

I started the boat with a water muff before starting this. It would do in and out of forward (hard) but wouldn't go into reverse. I did this a couple of times, and forward was stiff, but went in and out with a little force. But no reverse at all. So I thought for sure the cable was bad, or binding up.. Not, I'm not sure because the cable moves very easy now.

Thanks for any help or advise. Paul

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Shifter Rod? Shift problems.

found the answer in another thread.. Person was having the same problem. It's the shifter rod. It was VERY VERY HARD TO move up and down.. after some WD40, and moving it up and down by hand for about 15 mins.. it's a lot easier.