I Lost Reverse

[Brentathon]

1990 5.7 Alpha One (Gen I).
Was stalling when first launched the boat in spring; I adjusted the 6” shift cable dimension with the brass barrel nut (didn’t have to adjust it much); then it shifted fine up until last time I used it.
Wouldn’t go into reverse (gears chattered), or would stall.
So, when checking the 6” dimension, I noticed that when I pull the cable all the way out, and rotate the prop clockwise, it still doesn’t get locked up (in reverse).
The cable feels smooth when pushing/pulling…and is around 3 years old.
Could something internal of the drive be wrong, to not engage reverse…?

 

[Rick Stephens]

The way to tell is pull the drive and test shifting by hand on the brass shoe. Takes just minutes to pull a drive, worth every one of them to confirm or deny your suspicions.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

There could be some crud build up in the bell housing in the area the shift slide is at that is keeping the cable from traveling further. You have to pull the drive off to check it.