1978 century 230 350 260 hp. replaced lower shift cable. I have adjusted everything by the book several times but cannot get it to work properly. Shifting from forward to neutral does not come out of gear until you go past neutral same thing from reverse to neutral. The shift box is original could it be to much play in the handle. Please help I have run out of ideas.
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shift cable or something else
- Thread starter memaw777
- Start date
Is this with engine running?
Disconnect the anchor point for the lower cable. Engine not running, Shift forward, neutral, reverse several times to make sure you're getting full throw and the drive is going into gear. What can happen in some drives is that debris can collect in the slot of lower cable in the drive. Also check by turning the prop opposite from shift. As in shift forward, rotate prop counter clockwise and the prop should lock. Opposite for reverse. The prop should ratchet going opposite from lock rotation.
Put remote shift(shift handle) into neutral. Put lower shift cable in neutral so prop rotates freely both clock and counter wise. Adjust adjusting barrel so it fits easily into it's anchor slot. You should be very close to correct adjustment.
Another problem can occur if the lower cable is routed wrong and binds.
Disconnect the anchor point for the lower cable. Engine not running, Shift forward, neutral, reverse several times to make sure you're getting full throw and the drive is going into gear. What can happen in some drives is that debris can collect in the slot of lower cable in the drive. Also check by turning the prop opposite from shift. As in shift forward, rotate prop counter clockwise and the prop should lock. Opposite for reverse. The prop should ratchet going opposite from lock rotation.
Put remote shift(shift handle) into neutral. Put lower shift cable in neutral so prop rotates freely both clock and counter wise. Adjust adjusting barrel so it fits easily into it's anchor slot. You should be very close to correct adjustment.
Another problem can occur if the lower cable is routed wrong and binds.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2002
- RO Number
- 9099
- Messages
- 1,089
If this is a Merc out drive check operation of shift inturupt switch. Also idle RPM
If you have the shift adjustment set up right, check shift interrupt switch. The shift interrupt 'V' plate is about 2x3 inches with a 'U' in the wide end of the 'V'. With the engine running, push the 'V' plate up or down which pushes the roller out of the 'U'. Holding the 'V' plate up/down should kill the motor every time. If it's not killing the motor, the interrupt switch needs fixing or replacing. I've repaired a half dozen. They're really simple switches. Some RO's have reported the switches are no longer available...but you can get them thru Mouser Electronics.
and keep the idle to 750 or lower in neutral
and keep the idle to 750 or lower in neutral
I think it is, just replace mine for the same problem you mentioned, sometime it'd goes back to neutral right away but most of the time it was not, it'd take 2-3 seconds delay to goes to neutral after shifter is shifted, that 2-3 seconds delay is enough time to hit the dock or messed up your ability to dock. the cables were check and triple check, the interrupt switch was replace and adjusted correctly. After all checking here and there, I replace it with new shifter box with cables (old one was discontinue and old cables were not compatible with new box) problem solved.
It's possibly the shift handle. Mine is same age as yours...36 YO and I took mine apart and cleaned it up and greased it and it's OK. It's also possible some parts are worn, making movement loose.
Really stating to sound like the remote shift cable is binding. My shift cable is also 36 YO. I made a cable greaser for it about 15 years ago cuz it was binding. You can check by disconnecting the cable end and slowly move the shifter an inch or so as you feel the cable end. The cable end should move at exactly the same time as the shift handle.
I replaced the shift cable on a friends '77 searay. When I ordered it, got the wrong one, too short. Seems they changed the parameters for the part numbers from the older stuff.
It seems my explanations don't always make much sense. My brain and typing run at different speeds.[:I]
Really stating to sound like the remote shift cable is binding. My shift cable is also 36 YO. I made a cable greaser for it about 15 years ago cuz it was binding. You can check by disconnecting the cable end and slowly move the shifter an inch or so as you feel the cable end. The cable end should move at exactly the same time as the shift handle.
I replaced the shift cable on a friends '77 searay. When I ordered it, got the wrong one, too short. Seems they changed the parameters for the part numbers from the older stuff.
It seems my explanations don't always make much sense. My brain and typing run at different speeds.[:I]