1979 OMC 3.0 stern drive shift cable hook up

[snowseifert]

The previous owner was in the process of replacing the throttle and shift cables and left the shift cables discounted. I can't seem to figure out how to hook them up properly to be able to shift in all gears. I can't find much online about it either. Does anyone have and tips or tricks on how to adjust and hook them up?

 

[southkogs]

I've never hooked the mechanical cables up:

Redrig - you did mechanical, correct?

You'll want one anyway, but a good shop manual will be a friend on a Stringer (Look HERE.)

Welcome aboard.

 

[Redrig]

Just to clarify , what shift cable do you need to hook up ?

the cable that goes from the lower unit into the shift converter ? or the cable from the remote control that goes to the shift converter ? both ?

post up some pics of what you are working with

 

[snowseifert]

Just to clarify , what shift cable do you need to hook up ?

the cable that goes from the lower unit into the shift converter ? or the cable from the remote control that goes to the shift converter ? both ?

post up some pics of what you are working with

Both of them into the shift converter. We can get the the lower unit cables hooked up but it's super tight and we can't shift it so something's not lining up correctly. I will post some pictures of it in a bit.

 

[Redrig]

On my shift converter there is a routing diagram that shows how the 2 cables go into the converter.

also keep in mind, that someone needs to be spinning the propshaft by hand or the engine running for the shifts to happen properly (for the dog to engage the gear)

 

[snowseifert]

On my shift converter there is a routing diagram that shows how the 2 cables go into the converter.

also keep in mind, that someone needs to be spinning the propshaft by hand or the engine running for the shifts to happen properly (for the dog to engage the gear)

Yea same with ours but there isn't enough slack in the line so you have to really pull on the line to get the second line in. Wasn't really sure if it was correct.

 

[Redrig]

are you compressing the spring in the converter housing ? there is a huge spring that keeps the tension .

compress that spring and there are 2 holes on the side , you can slide a nail or whatever to keep the spring compressed while you install the cable. Then release the spring when its installed.

Its kind of hard to describe , but the manual lays it out pretty good.

If the cable is not long enough even with the spring compressed , then you have troubles in the lower unit as it was not installed correctly in the lower ( theres a certain range of travel for both of the cable ends )

 

[snowseifert]

are you compressing the spring in the converter housing ? there is a huge spring that keeps the tension .

compress that spring and there are 2 holes on the side , you can slide a nail or whatever to keep the spring compressed while you install the cable. Then release the spring when its installed.

Its kind of hard to describe , but the manual lays it out pretty good.

If the cable is not long enough even with the spring compressed , then you have troubles in the lower unit as it was not installed correctly in the lower ( theres a certain range of travel for both of the cable ends )

No I didn't not. Didn't even know there was a spring. Just looked at the exploded view and see the spring now. I'm going to try that tomorrow morning and see how it goes.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Get a factory manual, also, look at the videos on sterndrive.info

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

are you sure it's the right cable? 79 was hydromechanical. Maybe you were left with the mechanical cable

 

[snowseifert]

Thank you guys! I was able to get.it hooked up by compressing the tensioner.