Shift Cable Adjustment on 1985 Mercruiser Alpha 1

[Ron R Cox]

After replacing all the bellows, water inlet hose, and shift cable I put the outdrive back on being very careful when sliding it in to make sure the shifter was lined up correctly. When I went to hook up the linkage I could not get the 6 inches needed. I pushed the core all the way in until the prop locked in forward but in order to get the 6 inches needed I had to turn the brass barrel down to the jam nut and only then it was only 5-1/2 to 5-3/4. Can get neutral and reverse but not forward. What went wrong?

 

[nola mike]

It should already be in forward when the drive is put on, and the prop should be locked CCW, so I'd start there.

 

[Ron R Cox]

It should already be in forward when the drive is put on, and the prop should be locked CCW, so I'd start there.

Thanks, for the reply. But I have already done that. When the prop is locked in the forward position, I try to adjust to the 6 inches. But it just won't go. Could I have gotten the incorrect shift cable? i am at a loss as to what to do next.

 

[nola mike]

Can get neutral and reverse but not forward. What went wrong?

So are you in forward gear or not?

 

[Ron R Cox]

So are you in forward gear or not?

Yes, I have been tweaking the linkage with the control at the helm in forward and now the prop locks in forward when I rotate it by hand counterclockwise, . When I put the helm control in neutral the prop turns freely both ways. When I put the helm control in reverse it locks when I turn it clockwise as it should, but when I turn it counter clockwise it clicks. I guess I still have some tweaking to do.

 

[Ron R Cox]

Yes, I have been tweaking the linkage with the control at the helm in forward and now the prop locks in forward when I rotate it by hand counterclockwise, . When I put the helm control in neutral the prop turns freely both ways. When I put the helm control in reverse it locks when I turn it clockwise as it should, but when I turn it counter clockwise it clicks. I guess I still have some tweaking to do.

Ok, so I finally got it to shift correctly. Still don't have the 6 inches the specs call for. Going to take it to the lake this week and we will see what happens.