90 mercruiser 4.3 wont go into gear after impeller change

[bdubs217]

I have owned the boat for a few years and have been told that its a good time to change the impeller in the lower unit. I changed the impeller and just in time. When i put the lower unit back on everything went fine. The only problem i have is that i cant get the shift lever in the boat to move. I seperated the lower and upper unit and even with the lower unit off the shift control does not move. I did not have the boat in forward when i seperated the units the first time and i see that everybody says that it should be in forward. Did i mess something up or am i doing something incorrect?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 90 mercruiser 4.3 wont go into gear after impeller change

This happens to a lot of folks. Alpha I right? Chances are that the intermediate shift shaft went onto the lower shift shaft "off a spline". The control not moving when the gearhousing is off ia a mystery, that should move freely, try to get that to move. If you did not remove the entire outdrive it does not matter that it was not in forward. Read this:

If the control is jammed and you are stuck in gear the gearhousing was in reverse and not forward when you put it together and the intermediate ss is off a spline. Fix: drop the lower rotate the lower ss (small splined shaft in front) all the way clockwise (forward gear) and rotate the prop CCW until it locks and hold tension with a bungee to keep it locked in forward. Make sure the control is in forward and the bottom of the upper shift shaft is pointed straight ahead. Bolt it back together making sure the i ss washer is in place and the top of the i ss is pointed straight ahead. You should be good to go.

 

[bdubs217]

Re: 90 mercruiser 4.3 wont go into gear after impeller change

I cant get the shifter to move it stays in the middle and wont go into reverse or forward. i have the lower unit lighned up like you said thanks for the help there. I dont know what would keep the throttle from going forward or reverse now.

 

[bdubs217]

Re: 90 mercruiser 4.3 wont go into gear after impeller change

If i press in on the throttle button it moves forward and back.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 90 mercruiser 4.3 wont go into gear after impeller change

OK, if it worked fine before, something s jammed, either the control unit or the cable. So look on the port side of the engine where the shift cable attaches. Look at this: http://www.perfprotech.com/store/app_themes/ppt/images/tech-specs/alpha-shift-adjust.pdf page 90 (of the manual). Shows how to remove the shift cable. Remove and push (to put in forward) and pull ( to go in Reverse and N) the cable, see if that shifts the outdrive, or at least if the cable moves freely. If it works then you have a control problem, if it is still jammed then you have a cable problem. Let us know, should be able to work through it. Sorry said starboard at first, meant port:facepalm:

 

[bdubs217]

Re: 90 mercruiser 4.3 wont go into gear after impeller change

Thanks for the help. i am going to devote tommorow after work to try and see whats going on. I did get it into the forward position but it feels like the cable is sticking someplace i had it replaced about 4 years ago and it never really seemed to be correct. when i would start to put it in gear it would click alot untill the throttle was about 1/3 of the way forward then it would just go and the boat would lunge forward if anybody was standing they would usually fall. i took it back to the boat shop and the mechanic said that it was just tight and would start to stretch and would be fine. again thanks for the help i am great with cars and motors but the boat is a new adventure for me.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 90 mercruiser 4.3 wont go into gear after impeller change

That link will tell you how to properly adjust the cable. With the lower off the cable should move very easily. BTW it might be time to find a new mechanic. If you know cars, boats are easy to learn, just different.