1968 Merc 1000 shift cable and waterpump kit

[Carmstrong]

I've got a 1968 Mercury 1000 on the back of a 18' sterncraft
getting ready to do some repairs:
change the water pump impeller and or the kit if it needs it
service the lower end while I have it apart

also the shift cable housing on one end is starting to crack and fray
so I'm trying to locate the right parts, get some prices, availability, etc...

Have done the water pump before w no problem
but wondering how hard the shift cable will be and to adjust, finding the correct length replacement, etc...

Plus it Looks like a bunch of the engine's electrical wire's coating is starting to disintegrate

Also I was wondering if there are any typical/ usual problems for a boat this old w this type motor to look out for

Any feedback would be greatly apperiated
thanx

 

[1960 Starflite]

Re: 1968 Merc 1000 shift cable and waterpump kit

I am in the process of bringing a 850 back to life. My wires were toast also. CDI sells a kit for the internal wiring, pricey $145. You might try marking the wires, remove the entire harness, cut wires back to good part and solder new proper gauge wire into the harness, cover splice with heat shrink. Solder the connectors also. I just did that with mine. NOTE: the wires are not copper and I had to use acid core flux to get the solder to take.

Check your timing belt, mine broke just removing it from distributor.

On the cable, Teleflex sells what you need. You can buy them in one foot increments. Might be able to purchase thru this site.

Tom on Buckeye Lake