new member

[Chipsahoy]

Hey folks, I just joined up today. I have enjoyed reading posts regarding 1988 Johnson 88 spl. I recently purchased a 1988 Sportcraft 160 fisherman with a 88 spl and have been learning a lot. Great running motor and have heard a lot of good things about them. Any info anyone wishes to pass on would be greatly appreciated in reference to the control box / cables being adjusted. The warm up lever does not work properly and wants to "pop up" from it's clip because of too much "tension". Getting it into reverse can sometimes be a 2 handed fiasco.
Looking forward to a response.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: new member

Welcome to iboats!

Sounds as if you need some cable adjustments on both throttle and shift cables.

First back off on the throttle tension which should be a knob in the front of the control box.....

Check your cable lengths...... do the cables loop prior to going into the engine cover..... good then they are the right length.

Remove the engine cover and check the cable mounts..... are there lock downs on the cables or has someone used zip ties?

Loosen the lock downs and now you have small thumb wheels to adjust. There is also a grease zirk for the shifter..... follow the linkage and give it a shot of grease (often neglected)
Make sure when the engine is in Neutral that there is play in the cable.

Reverse should not be a two handed job!

 

[Chipsahoy]

Re: new member

Thanks for the info.
No loops in the cables. Just easy bends to the motor. All have been greased and all looks secure. I have not attempted to get into the box yet because of lack of familiarity with it. I've been told the older boxes are a bear! I don't want to open it and have springs and "stuff" popping out of it. Will a repair manual for that motor include the remote as well? This is not keeping me off the water, but I want it to be right. Some repair facilities are telling me "it is what it is" and I'm having a hard time believing that.

Thanks again!

Chip