Alpha One Shift Cable Insert purpose

[pmtom1]

Ok ...so we got engine aligned and all the bellows / hoses clamped and sealed real nice after three tries! Without the tips and videos here there would be NO WAY! Then I realized Dad had pushed the old shift cable insert into the bilge from the aft. The new one the came with the Sierra kit is longer and seems to only on from the bilge side. It was REALLY hard reaching around the engine and pushing it in while centering and we damaged it beyond repair.

As far as I can tell, this may only help lengthen cable life and in the event of a shift cable bellows tear, lessen the speed of water coming in. Are we ok with a big goop of silicon pushed all the way in? I really don't want to take off the whole bell housing again if I don't have to. Or should I get a new one? If so, what's the trick to getting them in from the bilge area? I was thinking about cutting a slot and / or hole in a dowel and sliding it in behind the insert to guide it in.

thanks!!

 

[nola mike]

Are you talking about the spiral wrap?

 

[pmtom1]

Not the spiral wrap... the black nylon bushing that goes between the cable and the transom.

 

[pmtom1]

Actually now that I think about it, doesn't the outer cable need to move though this as the stern drive goes up and down and turns? Silicon may not be a good idea if so....

 

[harringtondav]

Your lower cable is sealed via the cable bellows on the gimbal hsg. The crimp clamp on the aft end of the bellows should be snug, but still allow the cable sheath to slide freely in and out of the transom during trim etc. So no goop
​​​​​​
My new Sierra cable came with an extra plastic tube and bushing that were not part the original assy. So I pitched them