Wont shift properly after sterndrive install

[omc3.0cobra]

I have an 87? 3.0 cobra model 302AMFTC. My shifting is not working properly after the stern drive install. It goes into forward but not reverse. The shift lever feels completely different. I realize I got something out of adjustment I just don?t know where to start. I am wondering can these minor adjustments be made at the engine or do I need to pull the stern drive off again? I removed the stern drive to do a rebuild of upper unit. All new bearings and seals. I didn?t disturb the lower gears (forward or reverse) since they were working properly before the rebuild. I did have to remove the shift rod and the shift cable retainer to replace the u-joint bellow. I was careful putting shift items back exactly how they came off. I even measured the shift cable retainer. But the boat acts like it is WAY out of adjustment.
Could this be a misaligned shift rod head at the shift lever?

Any good advise out here?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Wont shift properly after sterndrive install

I was careful putting shift items back exactly how they came off.

Ayuh,... Obviously, that didn't happen...
Pull it apart, 'n find where ya screwed up...

 

[omc3.0cobra]

Re: Wont shift properly after sterndrive install

Ayuh,... Obviously, that didn't happen...
Pull it apart, 'n find where ya screwed up...

LOL. Yes I did pull it back off and didn't see anything obvious. Could it be misalignment with the shift rod and shift lever as I mentioned? When the sterndrive is off it is not possible to determine this misalignment. I was wondering if this misalignment would mimic my problem. I?m hoping not to be continuously putting it on and off trying to figure this out. To add more information. The shift lever moves in both forward and reverse but doesn?t engage reverse. I have not reinstalled the sterndrive yet. I will today while being careful aligning the shiftrod
Thanks

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Wont shift properly after sterndrive install

If you disconnected the cable from the bellcrank, you need to follw the adjustment procedure spelled out in the factory manual. This includes holding the bellcrank at 90 degrees.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Wont shift properly after sterndrive install

I have an 87? 3.0 cobra model 302AMFTC. My shifting is not working properly after the stern drive install. It goes into forward but not reverse. The shift lever feels completely different. I realize I got something out of adjustment I just don?t know where to start. I am wondering can these minor adjustments be made at the engine or do I need to pull the stern drive off again? I removed the stern drive to do a rebuild of upper unit. All new bearings and seals. I didn?t disturb the lower gears (forward or reverse) since they were working properly before the rebuild. I did have to remove the shift rod and the shift cable retainer to replace the u-joint bellow. I was careful putting shift items back exactly how they came off. I even measured the shift cable retainer. But the boat acts like it is WAY out of adjustment.
Could this be a misaligned shift rod head at the shift lever?

Any good advise out here?

I'm confused. Are you referring to the shift rod in the lower half? If u did remove it, then the height adj. must be 7 13/64's form the lower unit housing to the top of the shift rod. Problem is you'll have to split the drive to do it.

 

[omc3.0cobra]

Re: Wont shift properly after sterndrive install

Well I took stern drive back off and rechecked everything (bellcrank 90, shift rod length and alignment). But after all that work?still the same problem. So then I tried this. While the shift lever was in the reverse position, engine running, I wiggled the shift linkage at the engine to see if it wanted to move. It popped right into reverse gear. It was nothing more then a minor adjustment at the shift cables at the engine. To bad I did think of that step sooner. Oh well? live and lean. Its shifting better now then it ever did.

Lake here I come!