Shifter

Hey guys, I've been wanting to adjust my throttle lever to go into gear sooner. It goes into fwd gear at the 10-11 oclock position and reverse 2-3 oclock. I've been watching videos on how to.

I noticed, while the boat is on the trailer, Engine off, and I shift it fwd, the prop wont turn by hand, when turn it the opposite way, there is clicking. When I put it into reverse, the prop will spin both directions with clicking.

The funny thing is when I took her out on the water last weekend, she went into reverse no problem.

I have a mercruiser 5.0lx with alpha 1. Is there an adjustment I can do for the reverse? Cant quite figure it out watching the videos.

Any help I'd really appreciate. Thank you.

Here's a pic of the shift cable.

Read this http://www.boatfix.com/merc/bullet/89/89_04.pdf, you have the older style with a metal shift lever, you are probably most interested in the installation instructions starting on pg 189. I would go through the whole procedure and check everything. Looking at your picture, we are talking about the lower shift cable (no adjustment in the cable that goes to the throttle) the main adjustment is the threaded section in the barrel, this determines the travel in each direction. Turning that barrel will move the shift throw more towards F or R and that is how you adjust the shifting.

It looks a lot harder than it really is. I have adjusted mine then later replaced the cable along with the bellows etc - my Alpha shifts about as smooth as one could. They by nature are clunky shifting.

Thank you, I really aperciate the help and advice.

I followed the instructions from the link along with a few videos on YouTube. Same procedures. I made the adjustments as I watched the video. I dont know if I screwed up somewhere but I ended up with no foward or reverse along with the engine stalling. Totally screwed it up.

My wife's uncle who happens to be boat mechanic called me congratulating me on the new boat. First thing I said was I screwed up the boat. I told him what I did and what was happening. He just laughed and said I'll be over.

Came by and 10 mins. Later Walla!!

I told him I adjusted the cable with the brass nut to 6 inches (per the videos and manuel) from 7 inches. He said, dont go off of that, sometimes it's more or less.

Now the prop locks into place when its in reverse too, when it didnt before.

He's been working on mercruiser for the last 30+ years. I'm glad he called.

Thanks again, cant wait till sunday!!!