Alpha one outdrive difficult getting into reverse

[pmgrape]

I have a 1988 renken 19' runabout with a mercruiser 3.0L and an Alpha one outdrive. When I took it out this past weekend it was very difficult to shift into reverse. The RPM's would increase, but the outdrive wouldn't always shift into reverse. When it did shift into reverse, the RPM's would come up and then "clunk" it would slam into reverse. This went on most of the day. <br /> Back at the boat ramp, the last time I put it into reverse that day, it went into reverse like nothing was wrong.<br />The shift cable was replaced 2 years and adjusted last your by a dealer mechanic. Is it possible the shift cable needs adjusted/replaced, of maybe is sticking?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Alpha one outdrive difficult getting into reverse

It should not need adjusting so soon .The angle of the drive will affect the shifting though.The higher it is trimmed the less cleanly it will shift in a lot of cases.You may also want to check to see if your gear oil needs to be topped off.Lack of gear oil or aeration will could make it do that too.Charlie

 

[ralph_germann]

Re: Alpha one outdrive difficult getting into reverse

I have the same outdrive on my 1988 Mercruiser 260. After about 100 hours I get that ratcheting sound going into reverse. My mechanic makes an adjustment at the Alpha drive. He also tells me to snap the shift lever into reverse and not pull it back slowly during normal use. I'm not sure why it goes out of adjustment other than from vibration and wear and tear. It's a quick fix by my mechanic and he includes the adjustment when he does the annual servicing of the out-drive.