Re: Adjust shift cable without pulling off my lower unit? UPDATE-part name and method
The only concern I see with MRS's write up, is he is changing the original critical dimensions called for by OMC. The measurement he says is 7-5/8th - this is not the dimension that is to be used.. the required measurement from the center of the shift pin hole to the edge of the brass cable fitting is 7-9/16th +/- 1/32nd - if measured from the front of the 1/8 nut the measurement is 7-7/16th +/- 1/32nd
Now, I understand that even though these dimensions are called "critical" by OMC - there is enough slack in the cable guide slot to shift lever roller, as to completely outreaches the 1/32nd slop allowed when setting these dimension. but the difference from 9/16 to 5/8 would be considerable in a miscalculation. I have no idea where MRS got this dimension, unless he was measuring a improperly machined cable length tool. By using 5/8th as a starting point, your 1/32nd slop is gone. If you over reach 5/8th by the allowed 1/32 slop - you are now 1/16th wrong... which is outside the "critical" dimension...
Once again, I stress, that there is enough slop in the moving parts of this system to way outreach these critical dimensions.. but OMC does call for 7-9/16th, and all original tools were made with this dimension.
The current aluminum tools have too much slop in the nut slot (wow that sounds bad) and I believe that is where MRS has gotten the additional 1/32nd - but I think if he measures from the rear of the front pegs on his tool, he will find a true dimension of 7-7/16th, and with the addition of the 1/8th nut thickness - it is truly a 7-9/16th dimension - and of course, never ever, measure from the end of a tape measure, always start at 1" and add an additional inch to your length - there can be up to a 1/16 of slop in the end of the measuring tape.
THIS GRAPHIC IS TAKEN FROM A "POST-FAILURE" OMC MANUAL - CALLING FOR 7-9/16TH