1979 pre-alpha 165 Merc cruiser

[Harley8963]

Hello all . I am new to this forum and could use some help here’s my story .I was pulling into the dock getting ready to put boat on trailer I went into reverse then shifting back to forward would not go into forward.
Got boat on trailer got it home. When putting boat into forward would not engage went back to the stern push the lever over a little from the back and it would engage. Do not have to do this in reverse. I have a tried adjusting the barrel On the shifter cable and still will not go into forward And will now also not go into reverse. I also I tried adjusting the control arm had no luck. So from all this can I assume that I need to replace the lower shift cable

 

[Rick Stephens]

Watch the video. Measure the cable travel and free play.

(note, there is no such drive as a 'pre-alpha'. Responses to your questions will be based mostly on guesses if it requires knowing what drive you have)

 

[Harley8963]

Watch the video. Measure the cable travel and free play.

(note, there is no such drive as a 'pre-alpha'. Responses to your questions will be based mostly on guesses if it requires knowing what drive you have)

I’m in the process of getting ready to change my lower shift cable I have watched several videos on doing this on an Alpha Drive was wondering if I can just pull the inner cable and replace with the new and leave the sheath already in

 

[Grub54891]

I’m in the process of getting ready to change my lower shift cable I have watched several videos on doing this on an Alpha Drive was wondering if I can just pull the inner cable and replace with the new and leave the sheath already in

No. The sheath is worn also. The cable itself could be ok but why do it twice? I've never been a fan of using old parts with new. Besides, the new cable comes complete.

 

[Harley8963]

No. The sheath is worn also. The cable itself could be ok but why do it twice? I've never been a fan of using old parts with new. Besides, the new cable comes complete.

Thanks for the info.

 

[zellerj]

If you are using the weed wacker string trick to guide the new outer sheath up to your engine - make sure you have a long enough string. You need more than twice the length of the new lower shift cable because you need the end of the timmer string to stick out to grab with your hand to guide the new sheath. Also inspect the shift cable bellows, because now is the time to replace that too.

 

[Harley8963]

I just replaced the lower shift cable I had my shifter in forward prior to doing this installed everything before hooking up the shift cable I tried to manually shift into reverse which it did find neutral fine back to drive would not go had to use my fingers to push the lever on the outdrive itself over a little to make it lock into forward this is the same thing you did before replacing the lower shift cable could you be something wrong with the lower unit

 

[Harley8963]

If you are using the weed wacker string trick to guide the new outer sheath up to your engine - make sure you have a long enough string. You need more than twice the length of the new lower shift cable because you need the end of the timmer string to stick out to grab with your hand to guide the new sheath. Also inspect the shift cable bellows, because now is the time to replace that too.

I have replaced the entire lower shifting cable I have hooked everything back up with the exception of the shifting cable itself to the shifting mechanism I have tried to shift into both forward and reverse manually by pushing and pulling the cable. When polling goes into reverse fine when pushing will not go into forward? It seems that the lever does not go far enough to make it engage into forward. Same thing before I replace the shifter cable which was supposed of been a new one a few months earlier. What else could be the problem any ideas would be appreciated

 

[Harley8963]

I have just replaced my lower shifter cable I thought this was my problem. After installing it still will not go into forward on its own I have to Push over the shifter arm on the stern drive with my finger to help it engage just a little but when pulling the cable it will go into reverse so obviously it’s not the shifter cable what else could it be anyone have any ideas thank you

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have just replaced my lower shifter cable I thought this was my problem. After installing it still will not go into forward on its own I have to Push over the shifter arm on the stern drive with my finger to help it engage just a little but when pulling the cable it will go into reverse so obviously it’s not the shifter cable what else could it be anyone have any ideas thank you

did you adjust per the factory proceedure listed in the factory manual?

or at least look at the video on it posted by @achris?

A couple of new videos.

This post contains Videos I have made. I will continue to add as I make new ones... Setting up the bearing pre-load on later Alpha Ones, Alpha One gen II, and Bravo drives Servicing the water pump impeller in 1966-1991 (MC-1 to Alpha One) drives. Removing Alpha Drive Checking Engine...

forums.iboats.com

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... Stop, startin' new threads about this same issue,.....

If ya wanta bring it to the top, just post in This One,.....

 

[Harley8963]

did you adjust per the factory proceedure listed in the factory manual?

or at least look at the video on it posted by @achris?

A couple of new videos.

This post contains Videos I have made. I will continue to add as I make new ones... Setting up the bearing pre-load on later Alpha Ones, Alpha One gen II, and Bravo drives Servicing the water pump impeller in 1966-1991 (MC-1 to Alpha One) drives. Removing Alpha Drive Checking Engine...

forums.iboats.com

yes I have watched numerous videos and did everything by book. I do not think the cable is my problem.

 

[Scott06]

yes I have watched numerous videos and did everything by book. I do not think the cable is my problem.

Take lower shift cable off shift plate see if it shifts easily to isolate shifter and lower cable/ drive. If lower is stiff Take the drive off and shift it by hand should be easy, with drive off move cable back and forth. Should be able to isolate what the issue is. if its the drive might have to split the drive halves and see if the shift shaft is turning easily or that cavity has debris and corrosion in there

 

[Scott Danforth]

yes I have watched numerous videos and did everything by book. I do not think the cable is my problem.

did you what Chris's videos, not the hacks out there?
if your shift cable has any play or resistance, replace it (they last about 5-10 years)