Alpha One-g1. Shift problem when Tilted

[ronnieverette]

1984 Welcraft Nova 23 / Mercruiser 260 / Alpha one gen1.

After replacing the entire out drive and the lower shift cable I have run into a strange occurrence. The thing will shift into forward (counter clockwise on the prop) and reverse (clockwise on the prop) when it is tilted up for trailering. When I lower the unit into a drive position, she will not go into forward, but will go into reverse. How is it that the "Throw" on the lower shift cable would change depending on where the tilt / trim is at any given time? More importantly, what or where does this indicate an error on my part?

Yes, it was in forward when I installed the outdrives. (bolted together and quite heavy I might add)
Yes, I had a friend hold the prop in the forward gear when I measured the brass barrel to plastic eyelet on the shift cable (adjusted to exactly 6inches)
FYI the outdrives are SEI Marine SE-106.

 

[alldodge]

Have you tried readjusting the lower shift cable?

 

[ronnieverette]

Have you tried readjusting the lower shift cable?

Yes. I've taken it off the bracket. Pushed in all the way. Had the wife confirm it is locked in forward (counter clockwise) and hold in place. Measure 6inches from barrel to eyelet and install on bracket.

Still.... It goes into both forward and reverse when the tilt is up (as if on trailer) but, it will not go to forward when in down running position.

I wonder what this condition is indicating?

 

[alldodge]

Hey @Bt Doctur have an idea

 

[heartstealer]

Out of curiosity when your adjusting the cable is the sterndrive all the way down or is it raised? If raised when adjusting try readjusting when the cable is lowered. I had this same issue with my last boat cable. Another thing to check is the linkage part on the sterndrive the set screw may not be all the way in causing the cable to be tight when raised and loose when the drive is in lower position. Unfortunately that will require removing the drive again. Both of these are from my personal experience.

 

[heartstealer]

I also remembered there was something about when putting the lower unit back together with the upper unit about the shaft needing to be in the 10 o'clock position or shift problems may occur. Been about 5 years since I replaced my sterndrive with an SE 106. I had to call SEI and they had me up in going in about 20-30 min.

 

[ronnieverette]

Out of curiosity when your adjusting the cable is the sterndrive all the way down or is it raised? If raised when adjusting try readjusting when the cable is lowered. I had this same issue with my last boat cable. Another thing to check is the linkage part on the sterndrive the set screw may not be all the way in causing the cable to be tight when raised and loose when the drive is in lower position. Unfortunately that will require removing the drive again. Both of these are from my personal experience.

Yes, I believe I will pull the outdrive off again, and double check that set screw as well as the brass nut. Basically re-install the shift cable again without pulling it all the way out. It was quite difficult to reach down there and route it to the starboard side.

 

[ronnieverette]

Yes, I believe I will pull the outdrive off again, and double check that set screw as well as the brass nut. Basically re-install the shift cable again without pulling it all the way out. It was quite difficult to reach down there and route it to the starboard side.

Well... I've pulled it all apart a few times last week. 1. The shift cable brass nut is definitely installed all the way. 2. The shift cable is working perfectly and is adjusted to the correct 6 inches measured between the barrel and the plastic piece that attaches to the shift / throttle assembly.

This is the odd observation that I made. When I am setting up to install the drive to the gimbal housing I set the lower into forward by rotating the shift shaft clockwise while turning the prop counterclockwise. Now locked in forward, I bungie cord the prop so it will not pop out of forward.

When I observe the orientation of that shifter (which should face forward to aft) it is just about 1/8 inch past straight and is more toward starboard than perfectly straight.

Now the upper shift shaft is perfectly straight forward / aft. It rotates to the port side for neutral and reverse as it should. When I join the two as I install the outdrive they don't match up very well. Taking a screwdriver I can line them up, perfectly straight which takes the lower out of forward and into netral.

The lower is an SEI 109 rebuild from SEI international. Is it possible that it was rebuilt just a bit off, and forward is not straight forward now, but just a hair more to starboard?

Does anyone understand what I am describing? Has anyone ever had this kind of situation before?

I tried to install the lower shift shaft one spline counterclockwise, but that doesn't work, as it causes forward to be not straight forward to aft.

 

[alldodge]

If I'm understanding you correctly

This is the odd observation that I made. When I am setting up to install the drive to the gimbal housing I set the lower into forward by rotating the shift shaft clockwise while turning the prop counterclockwise. Now locked in forward, I bungie cord the prop so it will not pop out of forward.

This is the lower and the shift foot is facing directly FOR and AFT , good

When I observe the orientation of that shifter (which should face forward to aft) it is just about 1/8 inch past straight and is more toward starboard than perfectly straight.

This is the upper and its not facing direct FOR and AFT
The cable needs to be adjusted some more

 

[ronnieverette]

1984 Welcraft Nova 23 / Mercruiser 260 / Alpha one gen1.

After replacing the entire out drive and the lower shift cable I have run into a strange occurrence. The thing will shift into forward (counter clockwise on the prop) and reverse (clockwise on the prop) when it is tilted up for trailering. When I lower the unit into a drive position, she will not go into forward, but will go into reverse. How is it that the "Throw" on the lower shift cable would change depending on where the tilt / trim is at any given time? More importantly, what or where does this indicate an error on my part?

Yes, it was in forward when I installed the outdrives. (bolted together and quite heavy I might add)
Yes, I had a friend hold the prop in the forward gear when I measured the brass barrel to plastic eyelet on the shift cable (adjusted to exactly 6inches)
FYI the outdrives are SEI Marine SE-106.

What happened? Well, the unit that SEI sent as a rebuilt lower unit was not assembled correctly. Forward was just a bit past the capabilities of a shift cable. I sent it back and got a replacement the next week. I had it put together and installed in two hours. Running like a top.