1967 MFG Sprint. Steering cable Help

[MFG-SPRINT-16]

Greetings
Having a hard time getting this steering cable free and moving properly. I have it removed re assembled /straightened and put in a vise and still hard to move it. I can go from lock out to lock out but it’s super stiff. So the question is… do I get a replacement cable if available. Retro fit a newer style cable if that’s even possible. Do I try to do surgery on this existing cable. It’s a OEM cable as far as I know. 1967 Evinrude 80 hp speedifour. Factory elEvinrude controls. Cable is 14ft long with a blue outer plastic cover.
Thanks for the help

 

[Chris1956]

I would have expected that boat to have come with cable/drum steering. Anyway, steering cables do not last forever. I doubt there is anything you can do to repair it, as they are crimped together, and well shielded from water. Once water gets in the cable it is over for it.

I would be surprised if you can get a replacement cable for your system, so I expect your question is mute. Anyway, Steering cables are just a couple of $ less than the whole steering system. That is my recommendation.

 

[MFG-SPRINT-16]

I would have expected that boat to have come with cable/drum steering. Anyway, steering cables do not last forever. I doubt there is anything you can do to repair it, as they are crimped together, and well shielded from water. Once water gets in the cable it is over for it.

I would be surprised if you can get a replacement cable for your system, so I expect your question is mute. Anyway, Steering cables are just a couple of $ less than the whole steering system. That is my recommendation.

 

[MFG-SPRINT-16]

I have looked high and low for a cable online, unfortunately can’t find anything that remotely looks like mine. I wanted to keep the original steering wheel. So am I left with the only option of replacing the whole steering set up in my boat? Cables are not that expensive. Just can’t find one manufacturer with the correct ends that I need to use with my rack and pinion set up.
Thanks for any suggestions you might have moving forward.

 

[matt167]

The steering wheel should fit a modern Teleflex unit

 

[Scott Danforth]

unbolt steering wheel and set aside

unbolt helm assembly and cable and replace

bolt your steering wheel to new helm assembly.

 

[kenny nunez]

It looks like the average price for the kit you need is $160.00 plus the freight.
The only thing which may cause an installation problem is the way the engine end attaches to the tube. The new cables have a female nut that threads on to the tube where your old cable has a male thread.
Years ago there was a recall on the all plastic steering wheels because when they break people were getting stabbed in the arm so you may want to check yours.

 

[matt167]

I don't think his motor has a tilt tube, and would probably have an external tilt tube adapter to use the single cable steering, before it was commonplace.

Uflex makes a transom mount steering tube for this purpose as far as I can tell, which costs about $110 and the part number is S39

 

[MFG-SPRINT-16]

I got the cable out and opened two small windows in the cable with a cut off wheel. Cleaned it out with brake parts cleaner then some PB Blaster. Took a few hours. Back and forth, back and forth…..Seems that only the last two feet were effected by the grease pumped into it over the years. It sat for a long time as well. Never saw the zirk fitting until I removed the cable from the boat. Rapped the cable with Gorilla tape after. It spins free with one finger now on the bench. My plan was to try at least to free it up, before spending more money. Guess I lucked out big time. My cable is held in place by that exact bracket mentioned. I can see how that hard plastic steering wheel could cut you real bad. Thanks for the heads up on that.
Thank you all for your help.
Really appreciate it.
Stu.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I got the cable out and opened two small windows in the cable with a cut off wheel. Cleaned it out with brake parts cleaner then some PB Blaster. Took a few hours. Back and forth, back and forth…..Seems that only the last two feet were effected by the grease pumped into it over the years. It sat for a long time as well. Never saw the zirk fitting until I removed the cable from the boat. Rapped the cable with Gorilla tape after. It spins free with one finger now on the bench. My plan was to try at least to free it up, before spending more money. Guess I lucked out big time. My cable is held in place by that exact bracket mentioned. I can see how that hard plastic steering wheel could cut you real bad. Thanks for the heads up on that.
Thank you all for your help.
Really appreciate it.
Stu.

that is a fools errand.

get a new cable

 

[MFG-SPRINT-16]

that is a fools errand.

get a new cable

I know your right. That’s gonna have be next seasons project. The Snow is about to fly here in VT. Time for ice fishing soon.
Thanks again everyone for all the great input.