Alpha one lower shift cable

[Tonyboyscarbz]

For the life of me, having troubles with the brass bolt on the lower shift cable we’ve ordered. The thread pattern looks right, the size looks right. Any suggestions? Photos for reference. We’re able to screw on the original brass nut, but it’s broken so it needs to be replaced

 

[Rick Stephens]

The threads are different sizes from the pictures.

 

[dubs283]

Looks like you're replacing a cable that threads in from the fwd side of the bell housing. Haven't seen one if those for a while.

Probably need to run a tap through the threads to help start the cable from the aft side

Thread size is 1/4 - 18 NPS

 

[Tonyboyscarbz]

The threads are different sizes from the pictures.

They loook almost identical it’s so hard to tell. If they are different sizes, it’s very minimal.

 

[Tonyboyscarbz]

Looks like you're replacing a cable that threads in from the fwd side of the bell housing. Haven't seen one if those for a while.

Probably need to run a tap through the threads to help start the cable from the aft side

Thread size is 1/4 - 18 NPS

Ok sorry am a bit confused. Do you think I have the wrong replacement cable? And for the tap, is it to clean up my current threading or is it to create new thread? I just don’t want to destroy what I have already any further lol

 

[dubs283]

Your new cable will work fine. Haven't been able to purchase the fwd thread style for a long time.

The hole and thread pitch are the same size. Tap is just to clean up the threads from corrosion/build up over time

 

[todhunter]

I agree with Rick. The new cable appears to have a larger thread diameter than the original cable.

 

[achris]

Is the new cable genuine or aftermarket?

 

[Rick Stephens]

A better look:

 

[1960 Starflite]

My MC-1 OEM was a forward threaded mount. Replacement was rear threaded mount. Some bell housings aren't tapped completely thru. Use the above stated tap and run it completely thru from the front to create threads that you can use from the rear.

 

[1960 Starflite]

A better look:


View attachment 359698

Wow, something's not correct there. Do you have calipers?

 

[Tonyboyscarbz]

Is the new cable genuine or aftermarket?

Aftermarket. Unfortunately…

A better look:


View attachment 359698

I completely understand your point. When we look at pic 2, the threaded nuts are opposite to each other but it’s the best way I can get a shot of the threads closest together. They seem to match but curious on your further thoughts. I am by far, anything from an expert so your replies are appreciated.

My MC-1 OEM was a forward threaded mount. Replacement was rear threaded mount. Some bell housings aren't tapped completely thru. Us the above stated tap and run it completely thru from the front to create threads that you can use from the rear.

Ok that does make sense BUT to confirm, my previous cable was also a forward thread mount (mounted on the front of the bell housing) and the new replacement cable is also the same (mounted on the front of the bell housing). If you see pic 2, the brass nuts are reversed to get the threads close together. The third pic is them aligned to seat into the front of the bell housing. I am a bit confused on how this brass nut would work from the back side of the bell house.

If more pictures are needed, I can certainly capture more

 

[achris]

Aftermarket. Unfortunately…

They can be 'problematic'.

Ok that does make sense BUT to confirm, my previous cable was also a forward thread mount (mounted on the front of the bell housing) and the new replacement cable is also the same (mounted on the front of the bell housing). If you see pic 2, the brass nuts are reversed to get the threads close together. The third pic is them aligned to seat into the front of the bell housing. I am a bit confused on how this brass nut would work from the back side of the bell house.

If more pictures are needed, I can certainly capture more

I think you may have your 'front' and 'back' around the wrong way. The reference is always with respect to the boat. The propeller is on the AFT end of the gear housing. The new shift cables screw into the BACK of the bell housing (that's the side you'd be looking at with the drive off and your standing behind the boat, looking forward)....

The old cables screwed into the FRONT of the bell housing. But if you have removed an old front mounted cable, you need to chase the threads with a 1/4"-18 NPSF tap. That's a parallel pipe tap.

 

[dubs283]

my previous cable was also a forward thread mount (mounted on the front of the bell housing) and the new replacement cable is also the same (mounted on the front of the bell housing). If you see pic 2, the brass nuts are reversed to get the threads close together. The third pic is them aligned to seat into the front of the bell housing. I am a bit confused on how this brass nut would work from the back side of the bell house.

If more pictures are needed, I can certainly capture more

Okay, sounds as though you are replacing an aft threaded cable with an aft threaded cable. See the lower pic achris posted, this has been the standard cable for over 40 years.

We boat people like to use the terms forward, aft, port, starboard. Not front, back, left, right. Really aids in explaining things.

The tap size I mentioned is correct and will work for a new cable. However I will say I have never seen any aftermarket cable work properly for an alpha style drive. I have replaced a number of aftermarket cables that are brand new and never worked, even tried adjusting them to no avail. The only cable I will install in any merc sterndrive is oem. They make a kit that comes with everything you need, cable, ends, bellows, clamps and drive mounting gasket/o rings

 

[achris]

We boat people like to use the terms forward, aft, port, starboard. Not front, back, left, right. Really aids in explaining things.

Image edited accordingly. Thank you C'ptain...

 

[Tonyboyscarbz]

This information is fantastic. I would like to follow up with a few questions.

It sounds like I should tap anyways? Although the threading is from the FWD, tapping will help clear out the junk.

The tap mentioned above 1/4 18 NPS May still help clean out the threads and allow the cable through. If not, sounds like I can just order the OEM cable and that would be the solution since it’s already been tapped?

I really don’t want to destroy the bell housing but either way the tap sounds like it would be necessary

 

[achris]

This information is fantastic. I would like to follow up with a few questions.

It sounds like I should tap anyways? Although the threading is from the FWD, tapping will help clear out the junk.

The tap mentioned above 1/4 18 NPS May still help clean out the threads and allow the cable through. If not, sounds like I can just order the OEM cable and that would be the solution since it’s already been tapped?

The OEM cable is your best bet.

I really don’t want to destroy the bell housing but either way the tap sounds like it would be necessary

It's recommended in the Merc manual that you chase the threads... Merc manuals are well regarded, in that if it says to do something, you do it.

You have the manual?

 

[Tonyboyscarbz]

The OEM cable is your best bet.

It's recommended in the Merc manual that you chase the threads... Merc manuals are well regarded, in that if it says to do something, you do it.

You have the manual?

I have but have no clue if I have the right one tbh. There is definitely holes in the document that is missing important information. I’ll try to search for a new one…

 

[dubs283]

The tap mentioned above 1/4 18 NPS May still help clean out the threads and allow the cable through. If not, sounds like I can just order the OEM cable and that would be the solution since it’s already been tapped?

I really don’t want to destroy the bell housing but either way the tap sounds like it would be necessary

Correct, keep in mind you are not creating new threads with the tap. All alpha style bell housings are threaded 1/4 - 18 NPS. The reason for running a tap through is to clean up existing threads to aid installing the new cable. You may run the tap from either direction, the threads will be the same throughout

If you do in fact have an alpha one drive (not gen 2) you need manual #6