Hi all! I try and read this forum daily - have picked up a lot of useful information here.<br /><br />I've got an '81 20ft Baja with a MerCruiser 260 (350) engine and Model I drive. The past few seasons it has had problems going into gear. I can adjust the shift cable one way or the other so that it always goes into forward or always goes into reverse, but can't seem to find that perfect sweet spot (I can come close though). I dropped it off at the dealer a few weeks ago, and they attempted to adjust it, but said they couldn't make it better unless they got into the lower unit. <br /><br />My question is this. I think it may be the control cable/control box (since they are both original 1980). When it doesn't want to go into gear, I can lift the engine hatch and actually push the shift lever and it goes right into gear. Is it possible that the cable and/or control box have developed so much play in them that they are not pushing the lever far enough? Has anyone had this problem? I hate to spend the $300 for a control box and $50 on a cable if they don't help. I just don't think that it's a lower unit problem.<br /><br />Any help or opinions are appreciated!<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Lou
