Installing 4.3 Alpha one outboard. Stopping 3/4" from flush.

[Tanker_01]

I am installing my outboard after reseal. When I go to put it onto the housing It keeps stopping 3/4" from flush. Being this far on I do not think it is the splines stopping it but I cannot figure out why it wont go on any further. I have the shifter in fwd however I am having a really hard time making the lever arm with the roller stay in between the pawls on the shifter piece. I think what may be happening is that the shifter arm is falling out of the moving piece and it is jamming and stopping me from installing the outboard any further. Is there anything I can do to make the arm stay inside the pawls where it is supposed to be? The last time I tried last night I ripped the gasket so we are going to be waiting until the new gasket comes in to try again.

Side question, the big o ring that I am replacing that goes around the U joints. Am I supposed to be putting that into the outdrive housing where the stop for it is or am I supposed to be put it onto the outdrive itself?

 

[Rocksteadee]

Check that the gear change rod on the underside of the swivel housing (looks like a flat plate on bottom of a round shaft) is in forward gear, that is the tapered end is pointing forward, to slide in between the pawls of the linkage On the the gearbox
The ‘o’ ring you mention, is this the square profile about 5 “ dia? This is supposed to be glued into the transom frame

 

[spannerman]

Once the shifter pawl has entered its square hole in the drive it can’t rotate, so the roller can’t fall out of the pawl. If it won’t go in as you stated it could be the O rings which sit in the gimbal bearing hanging up, did you grease them before fitting the drive?

 

[Tanker_01]

Once the shifter pawl has entered its square hole in the drive it can’t rotate, so the roller can’t fall out of the pawl. If it won’t go in as you stated it could be the O rings which sit in the gimbal bearing hanging up, did you grease them before fitting the drive?

Oiled them not greased to prevent hydraulic lock.

Check that the gear change rod on the underside of the swivel housing (looks like a flat plate on bottom of a round shaft) is in forward gear, that is the tapered end is pointing forward, to slide in between the pawls of the linkage On the the gearbox
The ‘o’ ring you mention, is this the square profile about 5 “ dia? This is supposed to be glued into the transom frame

Was not aware its supposed to be glued! I will make sure to do that. I think I'm hanging up on the shifter still. Can I zip tie it in place and cut the zip tie once its in most of the way?

 

[QBhoy]

Did you have it in forward gear when you removed it ? Or do you mean you put it into forward just when you are putting it back on ?
as said above, make sure the gear shift mechanism is aligning with its locator. Probably not of help right now..but if it’s recent enough to have a gear oil header tank...hopefully you managed to disconnect the pipe before complete removal too. Many have forgotten this and damaged the line. Just if it helps any. All the best.

 

[spannerman]

All Mercruiser drives need to be in forward when removing and refitting unless its a Bravo 1/2 counter rotation then you select reverse. And there is no oil line to disconnect, its an automatc connect/disconnect fitting. The only pipe to disconnect is the speedo pipe just in front of the gear shift shaft on the drive.

 

[QBhoy]

All Mercruiser drives need to be in forward when removing and refitting unless its a Bravo 1/2 counter rotation then you select reverse. And there is no oil line to disconnect, its an automatc connect/disconnect fitting. The only pipe to disconnect is the speedo pipe just in front of the gear shift shaft on the drive.

I recently saw a guy pull off an alpha drive and damage the gear oil fitting. Defo need to take care when doing it.

 

[spannerman]

Only if you stick a screwdriver in the wrong place to lever the drive off can you risk damage to the oil fitting.