Mercruiser 260 reversing

[MN Mike]

I've got a Lund with a Mercruiser 260 ( 350 Chevy ), last summer it started acting up when I would put it in reverse, it would just die, cold turkey. I know that there is a switch in there that is suppose to kill the motor for a fraction of a second so it can engage reverse without slamming it into gear. This issue happened randomly, more often when it was cold than warm but it would happen a few times when we had been out all day with the motor running.

Should I replace that switch? or just try to adjust the linkage. Do these switches go bad very often?

Thanks

Mike

[boatfixer]

The switch appears to be working just fine, unless the spring is weak, I doubt it tho. It works by sensing resistance/friction in the intermediate shift cable and components. I suspect it either needs some adjustment or the triangle shaped peice needs to be greased with lithium or low temp grease. I would also suspect the reason its worse when its cold is because what grease is in there is dirty/sticky and thins up after things warm up.

[MN Mike]

Ok, good deal, I'll take a look at, if it needs adjustment, I'll probably end up taking it somewhere to have that done.

THANKS!

Mike