1998 Larson 186 SEI Shifter Cable Stuck

[Beenydu]

Hi all, we are preparing to install the rebuilt 4.3V6 engine into our Larson and we noticed the shifter cable is stuck. Can any one help with guidance on how to remove the throttle control lever and assembly to get access to the cable to work on it? Should I just replace the cable assembly or try to "unstick" this one?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Chris1956]

I have no experience with SEI, but some others come apart:

Johnson Control: Put the throttle handle in near full reverse and look for a set screw that appears in a slot on the bottom of the shifter handle. Loosen that set screw and the throttle handle comes off and then a plastic cover over the mounting screws.

Mercruiser Control: This control has a black plastic "Thottle Only" button on the pivot of the throttle handle. It pops out, revealing a bolt or screw that holds the throttle handle. Then a plastic cover over the mounting screws is removable.

Good luck. What does the SEI website say?

 

[Bt Doctur]

control cable done normally stop working , they get stiff first.You had to disconnect the cable from the shift plate to remove the motor?

 

[Beenydu]

Chris1956, thank you for the ideas. I will try those and update.
Bt Doctur, I was talking with my dad and we believe it was stuck when the outdrive was removed to pull out the original 4.3v6. It appears the shifter cable has popped out of the control handle mechanism since the cable will not move. Once I can remove the handle, I believe I can free up the cable.

 

[harringtondav]

First, which 4.3 do you have. Merc or VP? Second. When you pulled the O/D did you stress the lower shift cable? ...unlikely with a Merc Alpha II. But per BT Doctur if you didn't remove the lower shift cable from the shift plate before yanking the engine you may have ruined it.

Engine R&R shouldn't damage upper or lower shift cables if disconnected before the engine pull.

So determine if the upper or lower cable is bound. Easy check. Lower should slide easily with your fingers and actuate the bell hsg shift linkage. Upper should advance and retract easily from the shift controller. Make this check with both cables disconnected from the shift plate. Merc controller parts, like the Commander 3000's are essentially nonresistant. My '96 174 SEI controller is a Merc 3000. Generally known as a POS. ...can't believe mine is still working.

Maybe your controller gave it up apart from you engine work. If so, I say buy a new controller.

Edit..ps: The cable connecting nuts on the Merc shift plate (also VP I suspect) CAN NOT be fully tightened. They are nyloc nuts, and the cable end eyes (shift and throttle) must have 1/8" free play on the studs. My pal replaced his controller and wrenched these nuts tight. Everything was out of control, locked up. I showed him the manual's process and all was good.

 

[Beenydu]

harringtondav Thank you for the details! For reference, it is a Volvo Penta outdrive. I remember when my dad and I were removing the outdrive prior to removing the engine, we really had to work with the cable then to remove the outdrive. I will try to take a photo of the controller handle tonight for reference. If I could remove the handle to the controller, I believe I could figure out how to remove the controller assembly to work with the cable.

 

[Beenydu]

These are photos of the controller and cable.