Diagnosing shifting issues

[Al Schober]

Having shifting issues? If you don't know whether you have a transmission issue or a problem with the linkage, I recommend the following:
With the engine off, remove the reversing gear cover. As you (or a helper) move your shift lever, you'll see the shifter cone around the main shaft move fwd (towards the engine block) and aft.
With the shifter in fwd gear, you should see the cone move AFT and engage the three fingers that engage the fwd clutch pack. The fingers should go over the hump in the cone and kinda snap into place. If this doesn't happen, you can try loosening the adjustment for the fwd clutch pack and try again. If it still doesn't go, your shift linkage is faulty or out of adjustment. Once you get it to shift fully into fwd, you can re-tighten the clutch pack.
Move the shifter to the reverse position - you'll see the cone move fwd. It should almost come into contact with the notched ring for adjusting the fwd clutch pack. 1/32 or 1/16 of clearance is fine. If the cone contacts the notched ring, you should tighten the reverse adjusting nut. If your clearance is more than 1/16", try backing off the reverse adjusting nut a few flats and try again. If you can't get the cone to move this far fwd, your shifter is likely faulty/out of adjustment. You can alway tighten up the reverse adjustment.
Making adjustments to the reversing gear to compensate for a faulty shifter is futile and likely to damage the reversing gear. At best, you'll have little/no neutral band.

[Indy]

Thanks for this advice. It seems like our forward clutch slips when we throttle up with the boat moving at around 5knots. The previous owner thought it was the prop cavitating- is there a way to know for sure? For what it's worth, this is the original two blade prop, which is very clean.

Also, from reading and watching the tech tip video, I assume there is no affect on reverse if I move the FWD adjusting nut by a notch. Correct?

[Al Schober]

The Navy uses hydrophones to detect cavitation. I didn't have much interest in going that way but it would be fun just to see what you could hear at an anchorage in the evening. Another fun thing I've gone with the younger folk is to put a spotlight shining into the water and let them see what the light attracts. Better than video games!
I'd just tighten one notch and see the affect. And no, such an adjustment won't affect reverse.

[Indy]

Originally Posted by Al Schober

The Navy uses hydrophones to detect cavitation. I didn't have much interest in going that way but it would be fun just to see what you could hear at an anchorage in the evening. Another fun thing I've gone with the younger folk is to put a spotlight shining into the water and let them see what the light attracts. Better than video games!
I'd just tighten one notch and see the affect. And no, such an adjustment won't affect reverse.

Too bad my underwater recording studio idea never really took off.
Thanks for the response. I wish it were easy to get to, but the shifting cable bracket is attached via the starboard bolts on the transmission cover, plus it's a very tight squeeze. I may need a spotter on hand to pull me out by my ankles.

[Al Schober]

Yeah, backing out from somewhere is always a concern. I remember crawling into a cranny on a submarine to look at something and I couldn't get back out. Turns out a valve handwheel had gotten into my pocket!
I'd suggest a) grease, and b) get naked - but then you'd have to post photos.

[Indy]

That is some naked you don't want to see, I assure you.