Outdrive sounds like it is going into gear when in neutral,forward,and reverse.

[Woodstock NY]

1985 197v-5.7 260hp Mercruiser-outdrive sounds like it is shifting into gear

Hello Everyone !!

This is my first post on this site.
I found the site recently and spend hours gathering useful information about my boat and boating.
Thank you all.

I bought a 20ft 1985 Bowrider 197 with a 350engine-
260hp mercruiser Alpha I

I spent all last year rebuilding and updating her.
It has been running fantastic until yesterday.
When I slowed into the marina to gas up I noticed a loud
noise coming from the stern drive. It sounded like it was shifting very hard into gear. Very intermittently, nothing regular, I asked the marina/owner his advice and when I started her up it made the same noise in neutral.
It sounds like it does when it shifts into gear with the idle set too high.
His thought is that the outdrive is shot and he is willing to take it apart and check it out for free.
Any advice would be appreciated.
This is my first boat and I have been learning as much as I can mechanically. I basically have replaced most components..
I have been boating for 20 years and do most of my own work on all my vehicles.

Here is a partial list of new parts..

Alternator
coil
Thunderbolt ignition system
wires, plugs, rotor
batteries and all wiring/grounds.
impeller kit
thermostat
exhaust boots (4)
shift/throttle cable and all boots to transom
(done by mercury mechanic)
the list goes on.

Thanks in advance for your help !!
Joe M
1985 Sea ray 197 Bowrider 350 Alpha I 260hp merc
Woodstock,NY

 

[brains06]

Congrats on joining the club. Check out the classic rays pages when you get a chance. Now regarding your problem, the first thing I would say is that if someone (you trust) is willing to dig into your new to you but not new at all outdrive for free....YOU LET THEM! The worst thing that could happen is that you find a major problem...which you went in to find anyway. Is it a grinding sound or more of a clunking? If its grinding I would point to the shift fork area.

 

[Chris Dauth]

If it goes into gear OK (forward and reverse), I would have a real close look at the gimbal bearing and the "U" joints, especially as the noise is there in neutral. Gimbal bearings can look and feel good even when they are shot.. Change these before you have the drive torn appart.

 

[BarryCF]

What Chris said. It sounds like the u-joints or gimbal bearing. If it's the outdrive, and old, I would look at Stern drive engineering drives. Less than a quality rebuild and I hear mostly good things about them.

 

[Woodstock NY]

Thank you all for your help..
It turned out that the upper drive (gearing) was shot.
We replaced the entire outdrive with a rebuilt one for $1500.
I probably could have found a better price on a newer one but I did not want to wait.
Also, I enjoy keep my business local even if the price is a little higher.
Through this process I learned alot, had fun, and made a few new friends.
I had it back in the water in a few days and returned from 5 glorious days camping and boating on Lake George. I love boating !!!!!!!!!

Thanks again & Bon Voyage,

Joe Matthias
Woodstock, NY

 

[Maritime Matt]

Welcome to the Club and congrats on your SR. Sound like your happy with the rebuilt drive. Did they back it with a warranty of any kind? We give a year on any overhauled drive, parts and workmanship, providing you don't hit anything. Matt.