Bravo 3 Shifting Question

mosher0330

New Member
May 23, 2021
23
Boat Info
2003 Sea Ray 270 SunDeck
Engines
6.2L
I recently had my lower shift cable (due to shifting difficulty) and gimbal/bellows replaced on my 2003 270 SunDeck that has ~350 hours on the 6.2L engine with a Bravo 3 stern drive. When shifting into forward gear the engine stumbles momentarily and then seems fine, it does not exhibit this behavior when going back into neutral or into reverse. See the attached video.


Is this normal behavior? I have only owned this boat for ~1 year, so I'm really not experienced with how it should behave. Everyone online seems to immediately call out the shift interruptor, but then most people/forums say a Bravo 3 doesn't use the interruptor, that it uses a cone/clutch assembly instead.

Please let me know what you think.
 
I had a similar issue last year and came to the conclusion it was the cone clutch. Realized the shop sold me the wrong outdrive oil. I always use the merc stuff but this shop carried Sierra. Looked at the bottle and found it was the regular stuff for outboards or something. Anyway, the only thing I did was changed it with the good, correct Merc stuff. Hoping it will be ok this year. If not it'll be going in for a new cone clutch.
 
I had a similar issue last year and came to the conclusion it was the cone clutch. Realized the shop sold me the wrong outdrive oil. I always use the merc stuff but this shop carried Sierra. Looked at the bottle and found it was the regular stuff for outboards or something. Anyway, the only thing I did was changed it with the good, correct Merc stuff. Hoping it will be ok this year. If not it'll be going in for a new cone clutch.

Was it causing your engine to hesitate like my video? Did it solve your problem? My mechanic told me he only uses the MerCruiser oil, but I know there are 2 kinds, 1 for outboard and 1 called High Performance for I/O stern drives.
 
Side note, a little more patience shifting from forward to reverse. Let the props come to a complete stop before changing direction.
 
Was it causing your engine to hesitate like my video? Did it solve your problem? My mechanic told me he only uses the MerCruiser oil, but I know there are 2 kinds, 1 for outboard and 1 called High Performance for I/O stern drives.
I haven't tried it since changing the fluids. I didn't put it into gear while it was running on the trailer this morning. I figure if the cone clutch needs replaced I'm probably gonna be a month out on the waiting list this time of year so will put it in and if it does need changed I'll schedule it and leave it in the water while I'm waiting on my turn to come. We leave it in all summer so can still hang out on it while waiting to get it fixed.

But mine looked to be similar. I would put it in forward and after a few seconds of nothing I'd bump just a little more throttle then get a thump as it caught and would start moving. Reverse was fine
 
Bravo 3 does not have the interrupter switch, has a cone clutch instead.
 
So went out yesterday and the slippage is still there. What are the consequences of running it like that. Other than a hesitation when first putting it in gear all else is fine. Should this be fixed ASAP or can I get through the season? Typically put about 20-30 hours a year on it.
 
Of course it will get worst before it gets better. Doesn't take that long to change the clutch
 
Of course it will get worst before it gets better. Doesn't take that long to change the clutch

Is it a DIY? Takes a few weeks to get in a shop around here
 
The symptoms indicate the the shift cables are not properly adjusted. Try adjusting the cable more bias towards the forward engagement. Move the adjustment nut on the linkage 2 turns at a time realizing it will probably require more than that.
 
Is it a DIY? Takes a few weeks to get in a shop around here
Basic hand tools, a vise, and the special spanner to take the big nut that holds the input shaft in, off.
If the boat goes nowhere when you shift into forward then engages when you give it more throttle, it's the clutch
 
Basic hand tools, a vise, and the special spanner to take the big nut that holds the input shaft in, off.
If the boat goes nowhere when you shift into forward then engages when you give it more throttle, it's the clutch
Thanks. Local shop only carried Sierra brand oil so last year I asked the owner which one I needed and he sold me the wrong one. Didn't realize it until late late season. Was hoping changing the oil would fix it but still slipping. And exact symptoms you posted. Put it in forward and it just sits there. Add a little throttle and it clunks into gear. Reverse is fine.

I used to build race engines in my drag cars back in the 90's but know how 'delicate' and expensive B3's are. I have torque wrenches, feeler gauges, dial indicators, etc, just don't use them much anymore...lol
 

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