Hard shifting on 85 Seville Cuddy w/170 Merc

[stuffer]

I have to really jiggle the shifter to get it into neutural. I feels like something is hanging up and not gliding smooth when moving from forward to neutural and reverse. It is a Morse shifter and a 170 Merc engine. Any advice on what I can do to make this problem go away. I have driven other boats and the shifter or throttle moves back and fourth very smoothly. This really presents a problem when picking up people in the water and also when loading boat on trailer.

 

[MonacoMike]

My 85 Monaco shifter was just rebuilt and it now works great, it would not allow the neutral throttle button to be depressed. What is a "morse" shifter? Mine took 2 Mercruiser parts kits. MM

 

[stuffer]

Morse is the name on the shifter. I has buttons on the handle for the trim to lower and raise the engine. It is what came on the boat when I bought it new in 1985. This problem has been going on for years(only use the boat about 3 times a year)but is now getting really bad. I will check the neutral button switch on the engine and see if it is lined up right. What kind of kit did you get to fix yours. I am trying to avoid the boat repair shop. Thanks for getting back to me on this.

 

[blaster]

Do you ever lube the pivot points on your throttle and shifter mechanisim? It's easy maintenance to do. WD-40 never hurt a corroded cable either.

Morse is the name on the shifter. I has buttons on the handle for the trim to lower and raise the engine. It is what came on the boat when I bought it new in 1985. This problem has been going on for years(only use the boat about 3 times a year)but is now getting really bad. I will check the neutral button switch on the engine and see if it is lined up right. What kind of kit did you get to fix yours. I am trying to avoid the boat repair shop. Thanks for getting back to me on this.

 

[stuffer]

thanks for the reply, I will take it apart in the morning and do the lube thing. To be honest, I can't remember ever using lube on the shifter itself, only at the engine.

 

[blaster]

Have a good look at the connections at the engine while someone moves the shifter. If that looks ok then check for binding at the shifter. When I said lube I meant the points at the engine. I put a couple drops of 10w30 on there every couple months.

 

[MonacoMike]

Morse is the name on the shifter. I has buttons on the handle for the trim to lower and raise the engine. It is what came on the boat when I bought it new in 1985. This problem has been going on for years(only use the boat about 3 times a year)but is now getting really bad. I will check the neutral button switch on the engine and see if it is lined up right. What kind of kit did you get to fix yours. I am trying to avoid the boat repair shop. Thanks for getting back to me on this.

My unit is called Commander. There were two kits, this is straight from the invoice: "Throttle Shaft Ay" and "Repair Kit"

Throttle Shaft Ay: 817253A 1 for $8.25

Repair Kit: 85882A 1 for $21.58

Good Luck, MM

 

[MonacoMike]

I also have a parts list drawing. MM

 

[annie]

Taking the cables off the shift mechanism (at the engine) and working shifter will let you know if its cables or the hand control. Usually the drive unit shift cable outer cracks and corrodes causing restriction.