1978 tiara 2000 898 mercruiser 305 pre alpha out drive

[Jtharvey333]

New to forum and have a question. Bought boat engine rebuilt 200 or so hours before purchase. Over hauled ignition upgraded to pertronix electric ignition with plug and play distributor, new wires and coil all flame thrower and igniters. Replaced fuel pump also. Bought boat from friend so know about quirks and one is that when landing and shifting between forward, neutral and reverse the engine cuts out. The boat runs great otherwise but has that one issue that has been present for quite a while. I always assumed it would be ignition related so thought I would have it fixed.

I now think it's something to do with shifting. Haven't adjusted the shift or throttle cable yet and wanted to see if anyone here has Ideas. My ideas that could be wrong are the shift cable to lower unit needs adjusting. The shift from box to engine needs tuning. Also a shift switch at the engine could be faulty (pre alpha so not sure if it even has one). Maybe something to do with idle speed for shifting or air gas ratio.

I appreciate any insight so I can get the boat running tip top. If anyone has experienced these symptoms I would be curious about what you found.
Thanks everyone,
John

 

[Bt Doctur]

Start by replacing the lower shift cable, the shift interupter switch should never move on land or on a trailer. Only in the water, COMING OUT OF GEAR, with a load on the prop.

 

[Jtharvey333]

Thanks for the response. Also should mention that going into gear there's clicks like gears engaging. Do you think it would be possible to tinker with shift cable position? Any other ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks,
John

 

[Jtharvey333]

Shift interrupter switch would that cause engine to cut out if switching between neutral, reverse, forward to land? I kinda get idea in that the switch cycles down ignition coil to slow rpms while shifting.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... The shift switch grounds out the ignition, killin' the motor for a 1/2 second,....

It shouldn't move at All, unless in the water, 'n only comin' Outa gear,....

Shiftin' Into gear, should be done Briskly, or it's gonna grind,....

I'd sooner think the lower cable needs changin' rather than adjustin',....

Generally speakin', it only last 5 to 8 years anyways,...

 

[Jtharvey333]

Hey thanks for more advice. Seems like lower shift cable is consensus. Seems odd that it would cause engine to cut out during landing. Works great except for going back and forth trying to land the boat in wind and waves. Before the ignition upgrades they adjusted to having a high idle to prevent engine dying in neutral. If I lowered idle could that play a role in the boat cutting out?

Thanks for the input guys.
John

 

[Bondo]

Seems odd that it would cause engine to cut out during landing. Works great except for going back and forth trying to land the boat in wind and waves. Before the ignition upgrades they adjusted to having a high idle to prevent engine dying in neutral. If I lowered idle could that play a role in the boat cutting out?

Ayuh,.... We're just throwin' out the possibilities, 'n probabilities,....

You've gotta go observe, 'n test to see what ain't workin' right,....

Idle should be 650/ 700 rpms in gear, in the water,...

 

[harleyman1975]

My old 888 was same way. Took some getting used to but eventually I only killed it once or twice a summer. You need to shift it in a positive...almost a short hard jerk...of the handle. Hey try shifting first....If problem persists then a new lower cable would be in order but I bet it is simply that you are shifting too slowly.