What is "normal" prop action after shift cable adjustment? (Alpha 1 Gen 2)

[roc127390]

I am new to the forum and I know much has been written about shift cable adjustment. After the recommended adjustment procedure is followed what prop "behavior" can be expected with the boat out of water and engine off so that I can determine if I have proper clutch dog engagement? In forward gear my prop locks CCW and if turned back the other way it has a definite ratchet. In reverse gear the prop locks CW and if turned the opposite direction it has a very slight ratchet. Does this mean that the clutch dog engagement is not equal forward and reverse? Is more adjustment required? Thanks for all the great info on this forum.

 

[Rick Stephens]

In neutral: prop spins freely both ways

In forward: prop locks up when spun CCW, which is reverse direction. Prop will chatter gears when spun CW

In reverse: prop locks up when spun CW, which is forward direction. Prop will chatter gears when spun CCW.

 

[stonyloam]

If it locks IN then the amount it ratchets is not important. Put it in the water and when you are at idle it should engage the gear (either forward or reverse) and lock in without an increase in rpm. As you move the control further in either direction the rpm should increase. If it does you are OK. It sounds like you are OK.

 

[muc]

The amount of ratchet is very important. too hard to ratchet means there is pressure on the shift spool and it will wear out prematurely. Too easy to ratchet means not enough engagement of the clutch dog. Forward and reverse should be almost the same, with slight bias to forward.

 

[roc127390]

So then it seems like I need to run through the shift cable adjustment procedure again. After that if the engagement is still the same should I move the anchor pin higher in the slot? Will that make the engagement in reverse more solid like what I have in the forward position?

 

[muc]

Only move the pin up in the slot if you can't get enough engagement in both gears.

 

[roc127390]

Ok I adjusted the shift cables again. I used the achris video as a guide and found that I had more clutch dog engagement in forward than in reverse. I say this based on some text I read by achris about prop free play from lock in one direction and resistance in the other direction. In my case there was more free play in reverse than in forward. Also I noticed definite ratcheting when turned CW in forward and much lighter ratcheting when turned CCW in reverse. I adjusted the lower cable anchor point upward in the slot a little bit and the free play reduced somewhat. A little more upward in the slot got the free play similar in forward and reverse and similar ratcheting in both directions. Engine running out of the water showed good lockup in both directions. Now it's time to test in water.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Best of luck on your water test. Sounds like you got the adjustment down.

 

[roc127390]

Well tested the boat in Delaware River today and shifting was perfect. It is really amazing how the prop wash can facilitate the actuation of the shift interrupt switch. When the boat was on land even after the shift cable adjustments it was not evident that this switch was going to do its job. Putting the boat in the water proved it worked. Thanks to all you contributed here or in other posts on this subject.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Right on.