HI all New to this Inherited...

[cozy659]

 HI all   New to this Inherited an older 1979  Searay 260  with a  newer  1980's  350 Magnum  Engine and I believe a Pre Alpha   lower  drive unit.   Boat  is in great Condition, But will  not drop into reverse.    I have already   replaced the lower shift cable,  I checked the lower unit  reverse  does  work, Not a tranny  Problem.  But it still wont go in reverse.  I have a Funny feeling the  Brass  thread  is not  Tightening up into the Gimble.  I heard   years ago  they used to Tap and re-thread this  or taping and using a helicoil.. Does anyone know  the thread  size  on the brass of the lower  shifter cable   so I can attempt  to get this Fixed. any suggestions  would be great.  Very Frustrated. Thanks in advance   Neal in New Jersey( looking for a  good mechanic that can do this  near  Oldbridge, NJ

[Steele_y_Tutz]

When I replaced the lower shift cable in our 1977 470 with the pre alpha, I had the same problem. I could adjust the cable to either go into forward or reverse but not the other. I followed the replacement in the manual to a tee. I took it to a shop and they said the newer cables will work but that they had to move the barrel nuts until it would engage fully. Mine would almost go into the opposite gear but just make noise but not go in.

As for the helicoil or tapping, I'm not sure what your talking about. Unless your talking about the one end going in from the back instead of the front like it was stock. When I replaced the cable I just ran the tap from the front to the back then once through, went back the other way. Then used anti seize on the treads and greased everything real good with a marine grease for good measure.

John

[cozy659]

Thanks.. I discovered that the Threading was stripped. so Today I drilled. tapped and Inserted a Heli-coil thread. and the new shifter cable went Right in and was able to Tighten and snug up where it Belongs. I also Noticed that the New shifter bar with the End set screw that the cable Goes through was 1/8inch Longer than the old one Preventing the shifter to Pull in enough to get into reverse. so I cleaned , and reinstalled the shorter Old one. remounted the lower unit drive( new gaskets and seals).. some Fine Tuning of the cable adjustments. Now in Forward the Prop locks counterclockwise. and in Reverse Locks clockwise.. so I think I have this Fixed. Tomorrow I will start the Engine, and she how it shifts. If all is working Ill be so happy. Next is the cabin Portal windows... the Frames are shot. Need to Figure out How to replace the 4 windows, But they will get me through this season.. I inherited the boat. so anything I put into it is a Bonus. came with New Radios, Depth finder and GPS, New stereo. and new Trailer..