Why do my gears grind?

[rburlington]

I recently replaced an old engine controller and control cables on my Express Fisherman with a new Yamaha 704 controller and Teleflex cables.  My engine is a Yamaha 220 outboard (1984/85 model).  Before and after the switch-out, my gears grind.  

Is this most likely an adjustment problem where the control cable connects to the shifter lever at the engine, or a deeper problem?  

If the cable connection, does one adjust it in or out to solve the problem?  When moving into forward or reverse, it feels like the gears are just barely reaching the fully engaged position.  Is the adjustment too short?

If the problem is deeper, what should or can be done?
RGB

[John Jones]

First how fast are you shifting?  Do not baby it.  Give it a good firm push.  If you shift slowly most any outboard will grind.

[GoneFission]

Ditto what JJ said - this is not like an automatic trans on a car - if you slowly move the shift, it will grind.  Instead, make the movement positive, not tentative.  

And then  = = = = = put the hammer down!!      :twisted:

[rburlington]

Well, perhaps that is the problem John and Capt'n John.  I usually shift into gear pretty slowly, especially when backing from the slip at the marina and when the lock master has me floating freely in the lock going up or down; especially if there are a lot of boats in the lock with me.  But even out on the river I tend to put it into gear slowly.  So, once free of the harbor, I will experiment with a quicker move and see what happens.

If that does not help, I will try some adjustments where the cable connects to the shifting mechanism at the engine.
RGB