shifting problem after allready doing some work

[Thumbtack]

i have a mercruiser I/O alpha gen I. engine serial number L897912. 350 CID. Horizon. MPI not sure the year.
Have a shifting problem, it stalls coming out of gear, i first messed with the adjustments on the cables and that didn't work, i then messed with the tab that controls the button to stall the engine a little when it comes out of gear, not sure what that is called, i guess the shift interupt switch. The switch is working. after bending the tong that has the roller connected to it the engine was not able to come out of gear as the engine wasn't stalling slightly like it should when coming out of gear so i bent the tong back to the point where the engine would stall completely when coming out of gear. I then changed the outer shift cable and ended up with the same problem.
so far i tried those cable adjustmets, i tried to bend that tang, and i tried changing that shift cable. all with the same problem of stalling completely when coming out of gear. Its like that button is grounding the ignition for just a bit too long but i couldn't get it in the right spot to not stall the engine.
there is no shift assist on this model.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: shifting problem after allready doing some work

i have a mercruiser I/O alpha gen I. engine serial number L897912. 350 CID. Horizon. MPI not sure the year.
Have a shifting problem, it stalls coming out of gear, i first messed with the adjustments on the cables and that didn't work, i then messed with the tab that controls the button to stall the engine a little when it comes out of gear, not sure what that is called, i guess the shift interupt switch. The switch is working. after bending the tong that has the roller connected to it the engine was not able to come out of gear as the engine wasn't stalling slightly like it should when coming out of gear so i bent the tong back to the point where the engine would stall completely when coming out of gear. I then changed the outer shift cable and ended up with the same problem.
so far i tried those cable adjustmets, i tried to bend that tang, and i tried changing that shift cable. all with the same problem of stalling completely when coming out of gear. Its like that button is grounding the ignition for just a bit too long but i couldn't get it in the right spot to not stall the engine.
there is no shift assist on this model.

Did you replace the lower shift cable?......

 

[Thumbtack]

Re: shifting problem after allready doing some work

yes, i replaced the shift cable going from the engine to the drive.

 

[Thumbtack]

Re: shifting problem after allready doing some work

i'm pretty sure it is a gen I and not a gen II but i don't think that would matter since they both use the same steering system. I was thinkinig if maybe that button was sticking just a little bit or was dragging enough to cause this.

 

[qystan]

Re: shifting problem after allready doing some work

Since you did not mention, I assume its fine going into gear.

How's the engagement going into forward and reverse, good both directions or positive firm engagement one way and the other not catching well? If you get the second case, the adjustment is off.

Was it stalling coming out of forward or reverse only or both? If its stalling coming out of forward or reverse only, the adjustment is incorrect.

If stalling in both, and with the new cable...could be something in the drive - check the oil and see if there's water and chips on the plug.

 

[Thumbtack]

Re: shifting problem after allready doing some work

thanks for that reply gystan, here is an update.
It is equally fine going into both FWD and RVS. It does stall coming out of either of these gears not just one of them. Today i replaced the other shift cable and replaced that button and still have the same problem.
Tomorrow i will do as you suggest and pull the drive to inspect the gear lube.

 

[Bondo]

Re: shifting problem after allready doing some work

You may have routed the new cable Wrong,+ it's Dragging.....

Does it move Freely when disconnected.......

 

[qystan]

Re: shifting problem after allready doing some work

The reason its stalling is that the lower shift cable cannot follow the upper that goes to the throttle box

Check items that can bind the lower cable:

check for correct cable routing as Bondo indicated
- if routing is good, check that the lower cable moves freely
- if sticky/stiff
- it could be the cable or the drive end
- remove drive and check cable movement
- if good, it could be the upper shift shaft (the rod that goes thru the bell housing, there is an oil seal) or the lower drive

 

[obezag]

Re: shifting problem after allready doing some work

When replacing my lower shift cable I figured I'd save some skin and route it differently than original. I had nothing but trouble after that. Don S. put up a diagram here showing the correct routing and after doing it the right way it's been shifting fine. Gary.