engine stalls when shifting from neutral to fwd or reverse

[rvisnov]

I have a 1985 Mercruiser 260HP, Alpha1, Thunderbolt Ignition - Engine frequently stalls when shifting into fwd or reverse. Shift lever is stiff. Could this be lower shift cable? Is this tough to replace?

 

[Don S]

Re: engine stalls when shifting from neutral to fwd or reverse

Yep, classic shift cable problem

Here are a couple links to help you fix it. First one is the online OEM manual.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

Something to help sort things out a little easier.

http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm

 

[180shabah]

Re: engine stalls when shifting from neutral to fwd or reverse

rvisnov - Welcome to iboats

Don - See it is possible to teach a new dog old tricks.(ie. starting a new thread for a new problem)

 

[cbelgum]

Re: engine stalls when shifting from neutral to fwd or reverse

Yep, classic shift cable problem

Here are a couple links to help you fix it. First one is the online OEM manual.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

Something to help sort things out a little easier.

http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm

I have had the same problems with my 4.3 Merc dying as it went to reverse. I used the diagram in Don S's response above - look for how to adjust the shift cable (http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm) and it was a piece of cake. Thanks Don - ever the Man! Tested her on the muffs and brought the idle down to about 750 and she shifts like a charm. Out on the lake tomorrow to give her a real test (and then teach some worms to swim...)

Chris B

 

[180shabah]

Re: engine stalls when shifting from neutral to fwd or reverse

Tested her on the muffs and brought the idle down to about 750 and she shifts like a charm.

Couple of quick things:

Remember the idle speed is set in gear, in the water. should be 600-650 RPM

Also, it will always shift out of gear easy when on the trailer. There is no load against the prop. However, if you adjusted it correctly, it should do just as well in the water.

Good luck tomorrow(with the boat and the worms )