Transmission- Reverse gear shift- Universal 18
- Thread starter rogerfern
- Start date
Afrakes
Sustaining Member
Clamp
Check the clamp that holds the engine end of the cable housing. It can loosen up and allow the housing to move which will limit the cable's effect. On my 28 the clamp and a portion of the mounting bracket were missing due to corrosion and the cable was wired in place. I had to remove the bracket clean it up and braze a new piece of metal in place and install a new clamp. It also may be that the cable itself is beginning to destruct. Also check the set screw that hold the shifting lever to the transmission. I believe that it is keyed and probably not the problem but worth a check anyway.
Check the clamp that holds the engine end of the cable housing. It can loosen up and allow the housing to move which will limit the cable's effect. On my 28 the clamp and a portion of the mounting bracket were missing due to corrosion and the cable was wired in place. I had to remove the bracket clean it up and braze a new piece of metal in place and install a new clamp. It also may be that the cable itself is beginning to destruct. Also check the set screw that hold the shifting lever to the transmission. I believe that it is keyed and probably not the problem but worth a check anyway.
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Solarken
Member III
Late 2015 now, similar problem.
Hello,
my 32 is experiencing a similar issue. I think the cable housing is still tight. But it's not wanting to go in reverse. :0
Not good in tight quarters.
can anyone tell me how to open the helm end to check all the linkage and lube it?
Looks to to be a Morse cable that does the work.
The the bottom end.
Thank you
Hello,
my 32 is experiencing a similar issue. I think the cable housing is still tight. But it's not wanting to go in reverse. :0
Not good in tight quarters.
can anyone tell me how to open the helm end to check all the linkage and lube it?
Looks to to be a Morse cable that does the work.
The the bottom end.
Thank you
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If the transmission shifts normally by direct operation of the shift lever, just replace the old Morse/Teleflex cable.
Old cables can't really be lubed anyhow, and the butter-smooth shifting of a new cable is well worth the $50 or so.
Not sure about the 27, but on my boat the access is: compass comes off, some machine screws come out, and the linkage assembly can be pulled up six or eight inches (using slack in the throttle and shift cables).
Old cables can't really be lubed anyhow, and the butter-smooth shifting of a new cable is well worth the $50 or so.
Not sure about the 27, but on my boat the access is: compass comes off, some machine screws come out, and the linkage assembly can be pulled up six or eight inches (using slack in the throttle and shift cables).
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Solarken
Member III
If the transmission shifts normally by direct operation of the shift lever, just replace the old Morse/Teleflex cable.
Old cables can't really be lubed anyhow, and the butter-smooth shifting of a new cable is well worth the $50 or so.
Not sure about the 27, but on my boat the access is: compass comes off, some machine screws come out, and the linkage assembly can be pulled up six or eight inches (using slack in the throttle and shift cables).
Mine is a 32 1975
finding that hitting reverse kills the engine. But I was told reverse is a clutch system, not a normal gear?!?!?
kapnkd
kapnkd
When I still had my A-4 in our '73 E-32 I had a similar problem (Now have a diesel). If you have the old A-4 manual, there is a section explaining how to adjust the gear and reverse engagement inside the transmission box itself.
I did this (many years ago but have since forgotten exactly what I did). ...I do remember the top cover came off (4 screws) and I was able to fine tune it in spite of standing on my ear to get at it all. It took a little playing, getting greasy, climbing in and out to test it - but - once adjusted, I never had the problem again.
Also, when I took delivery of the boat brand new, pulling it into reverse was very very difficult. Turns out the cable was pinched and kinked from the factory installation. After "kissing' the dock a couple of times, I on my own then traced the cable and found the problem. A new cable and all was well. There were a few other problems with her but once corrected - she's been a dream! I will admit a couple times I got almost frustrated enough to rename the boat "Sum Ting Wong"!!
-good luck with your problem! - kerry
Solarken
Member III
Thank you
thank you Kerry, I have not found the book yet. But next week I can stand on my ear and have a look! :0
thank you Kerry, I have not found the book yet. But next week I can stand on my ear and have a look! :0
kapnkd
kapnkd
You're welcome.
Sorry I don't have my old manual anymore that I could send you - BUT - I did go online and found a site with a PDF of the old manual.
You can check the complete manual out at this site:
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w
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ontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> Universal Atomic Four Manual - PDF ( http://www.manualslib.com/manual/615712/Westerbeke-Atomic-4.html?page=66#manual )<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> In particular to learn more and solve your specific problems, check out pages 52 through 54 and especially look at page 66.
Fair Winds!
-kerry
Solarken
Member III
You're welcome.
Sorry I don't have my old manual anymore that I could send you - BUT - I did go online and found a site with a PDF of the old manual.
You can check the complete manual out at this site:
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> In particular to learn more and solve your specific problems, check out pages 52 through 54 and especially look at page 66.
Fair Winds!
-kerry
thank you!
kapnkd
kapnkd
Glad to have been of help. ...I've listed other projects done or in process of being completed on our 32. Should you have more questions, don't hesitate to contact me/us.
-kerry