Apha 1 gen 1 can’t get reverse

[Punchie7]

My 91 Mercrusier trophy with alpha 1 gen 1 leg stoped shifting into reverse. I can get forward and neutral but when it’s shifted to reverse I hear a clicking in the leg.
Replaced the shifting cable because I thought it was stretched and intermediate shifting rod as it was slightly bowed/bent.
No joy with either of these changes.

If I split off the lower leg I can turn the lower shift rod and find forward/neutral/reverse.
The rod needs to be turned to it maximum travel to get reverse.
I moved the splines counter clockwise one space at a time on the lower rod to intermediate shifter and was eventually able to get reverse but not forward.
This was done with the shifting cable disconnected and moved manually.

Not sure what to do next.
Are the gears in the lower leg toast?
Thanks

 

[Bt Doctur]

the bowed intermediate might be the start of the issue IF the lower was forced on incorrectly and bent the lower shift arm in the lower unit.
If you split the drive did you check for/install/reinstall the SS washer that goes on the lower splined shaft first?

With the drive off rotate the shoe fully counter clockwise to full reverse,
then move it to fully clockwise (fwd) the shoe must point in a straight line to 12:00 Moving to 12:30 or 1:00 indicated either the splines in the intermediate shoe or the splines on the lower shaft are corroded/worn out of spec
The gen II manual shows how to test for this condition

 

[Punchie7]

Yes the washer was reinstalled.
Im at work now but pretty sure the yoke/shoe on the intermittent shifter was pointing to 12.
I will confirm when i’m home in 2 weeks and refer to the gen ll manual

 

[Droid]

You state 1991 gen 1. 1992 is gen 2.
Regardless of the boat year, use the correct manual for the actual Alpha generation installed.

New problem?
Boat new to you?

 

[Punchie7]

New problem.
Had the boat a couple of years now.
Had to change the interrupting switch and shifting plate
Will look at the gen l manual

 

[Bt Doctur]

dont think the gen 1 shows the amount of swing in degrees.Anyway way you measure it the shoe must not go past 12:00 position

 

[Droid]

I had a typo above.
Gen 1 is 1990 & earlier
Gen 2 is 1991 & later

Regardless, an early build 1991 boat could have a 1990 Gen 1 engine/drive.

 

[kghost]

Lets get what he has defined before offering more suggestions. UGH!! Due to the differences in parts between Gen I and Gen II and of course his parts descriptions need to be cleaned up and better understood.