Mechanical help needed

redmandant · **Posted:** Thu Jun 11, 2015 9:44 am

Going to throw this out there because I am at my wits end. To start off I have an older Rinker 'go fast' boat as I like to call it which needs some TLC but up until last year ran good, and was a nice distraction for the family when down at the cottage. Last year it started to run hot and after some investigation I saw that the water pump was gone. Its an 87 3.0L Mercruiser and a big pain in the butt to change, but I got all the right parts and finally after two 500k round trips, got it changed.

Here is the problem, It won't shift into gear... The linkage is internal in the out drive and I took the unit off 4 times trying different positions on the linkage but still no good. If I shift it into forward it wont engage, but if I nudge the linkage 1/16th of an inch, it will engage, same thing for reverse. Pops into neutral with no issues.

I know it is going to be something real simple, but this simpleton can't figure it out. The trailer is mainly used to launch and pull out the boat ( I am right beside the boat launch) so I am not sure if I trust it to haul long distances. I am at Shermans Point, and the closest marina That I can find is Belleville, or Kingston/Bath.

Two questions #1 Is there a closer marine mechanic to me than the ones I listed or preferably a mobile one that I can call?

#2 Is the possibly someone here I could bribe with food, lodging and fishing that could help me out?

Thanks in advance

Dan

bluedog · **Posted:** Thu Jun 11, 2015 10:25 am

how about glenora marina
not to far from where you are ??

the ole bluedog

FishinMagician · **Posted:** Thu Jun 11, 2015 6:53 pm

Is there a cable that goes from helm to linkage? If it goes into gear fine with you nudging it the cable might be stretched.

Larry C. · **Posted:** Thu Jun 11, 2015 7:25 pm

There is a good merc man in Belleville and he travels his name is Glen Thompson and his # 613-922-1764 I don't know if he'll go that far but you can ask.

mblaney · **Posted:** Fri Jun 12, 2015 9:32 am

I have a mercruiser 4.3 with the Alpha 1 outdrive. I think your problem is not setting the lower unit shift to the correct position. Before you join the upper and lower gear boxes you have to set the shift linkage in the correct position.
You can do this with the upper gear case attached to the transom:
- shift lever in forward
- remove lower gear case
- using a soft grip pliers (wrap with tape) rotate the shifter spline until you are sure the lower case is in forward. You can tell by rotating the prop in reverse - it should not rotate. You can play with the shift spline to get a feel for each position (F, N, R), just put it in forward before installing.
- when you install the lower case, make sure the spline engages the shift lever correctly. I keep back pressure on the prop to prevent the lower case from popping out of gear. A second pair of hands or a bungee cord can help.
- When it is assembled you should still be locked in forward (can't spin prop backward).
- shift into neutral at console
- prop should spin both directions
- it is not recommended to shift into reverse without running it

mblaney · **Posted:** Fri Jun 12, 2015 9:48 am

Once your outdrive is installed and you are sure the (outdrive) shift mechanism is aligned correctly you can do a running test (with earmuffs!). If the outdrive goes into F - n - R but needs an extra nudge or won't dissengage correctly then attempt the shift cable adjustment. There are lots of results for "mercruiser shift cable adjustment". There are very specific adjustments that you should set up first. This might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s_tgevX2aI

mblaney · **Posted:** Fri Jun 12, 2015 9:58 am

Another check you should do is check for play between your shifter and the engine; have someone wiggle the shifter back and forth and see how much play is at the engine end.

You can remove the lower shift cable (that goes into the lower unit) and perform the same test (don't move the adjustment barrel). If your lower shift cable is stiff or has too much slack then it has to be replaced. This will require special tools (I made mine) and a shift cable kit. It is not necessarily an easy job.

http://www.mercstuff.com/shiftcable2.htm

http://www.mercstuff.com/images/shiftcable.jpg

redmandant · **Posted:** Tue Jun 16, 2015 1:31 pm

Thank you so much mblaney, I will give it one more try next weekend when I come down. I will let ya know if I am successful

Dan

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Mechanical help needed

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