When I shift....

[charlie_the_tuna]

Hey guys, when I shift (mercruiser outdrive) there is a bit of a grinding noise. Maybe grinding is the wrong word... Hopefully you outdrive guys know what I'm talking about. Is this normal? I should mention that I have been shifting the boat on land... I dont know if I will even hear it under water.

[Blue_Runner]

Maybe your engine is idling too high? *How many RPM's are you turning at idle? *That could cause a little more grinding than normal, I would think. I don't know much about I/O. Let's see what 76GM thinks, he seems to know them inside and out.

[chumbucket]

When you shift, shift with authority. Don't force or allow it to grind. Just shift it like you meant it.

[reelapeelin]

charlie, CB's right...you should "snap" it into gear (and out)...should hear a "clunk"... :D...

[charlie_the_tuna]

Maybe grind was a poor word choice. I'm idleing at about 850-1050. I guess if you slowed down a clunk, thats what it sounds like. Grind is the wrong word.

[76GMC1500]

Everybody but Volvo and Yamaha use dog clutches in their outdrives, just like outboards. *It's basically a ring with teeth on it that has to engage another ring with slots for the teeth. *Some grinding is expected as they engage. *Shifting more quickly will reduce the grinding. *More recent drives kill spark to the engine to stall it a little as you engage the gears. *This also works to reduce the grinding. *But, some is still normal. *A fast idle will make it worse. Most v8's should idle around 600 rpm. The 6 cylinders like 600-700. The 4 cyilnders are 700-800. So, if you're idling at 1000 rpm, that is a little high.

[phester]

maybe more of a "rapid clacking" noise??.Like CB said, DUMP it into gear.....easing it gently in gear sounds like the right thing to do,.....it's not. Could also be a shift cable w/ to much slack in it and or ,like mentioned , the idle is a bit high. I have an outboard and have had a similar situation. While you're at it check,or change your lower unit oil... ;)

[rb437]

How about the linkage? Would an improperly adjusted linkage allow the engine to not quite be at idle when the outdrive shifts?

[macojoe]

have you been using the motor and this just start??

Have you just fixed something or installed something to do with your cables?

they should stay once set with no problem. But if you7 have done something then they may need some fine tuning.

do as above, just jam in gear and all sholud be good.

Whats the RPM's at Idle?? should be like 500 or so??

Change lower unit oil and look for metal shavings in the oil, if you don't see any, run a small magnet in the oil and see if anything sticks to it?

[msbhammer]

Small magnet in the oil. Now who would ever think of that. Thats why I love this site !! ;D
If Mac was selling his Tricks of the Trade, I think he be retired by now. ;)

[Blue_Runner]

Sounds like idling too high and shifting too slowly is what's going on.

[macojoe]

Thanks MS, but the newer motors come with a magnet onn the fill screw already, so you don't need one.

But the older ones did not so I have done this in the past.

[captbent]

MY 470 IDLING *IS 650 RPM IN GEAR THATS WHAT THE SERVICE MANUAL CALLS FOR AND SHIFT LIKE YOU MEAN IT HARD AND FAST NOT SLOW, AND YES I LIKE IT HARD AND FAST LOL ;D ;D ;)