Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

[bruceb58]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

In later years, OMC came out with a new pressed in bushing that the bellcrank inserts into. This bushing has a zerk fitting so you can put grease into that cavity once you get the whole thing put together. If it is at all possible to find that bushing, it is well worth it.

79 and 80 in the following diagram
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/o...acturer=OMC+Stern+Drive&section=Transom+Mount

May also actually be possible to drill and tap the existing one.

What I found is that whole cavity just gets filled with deposits, especially if used in salt water. Filling the void with grease using a grease gun is the perfect way of preventing the problem.

 

[wcasey5]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

In later years, OMC came out with a new pressed in bushing that the bellcrank inserts into. This bushing has a zerk fitting so you can put grease into that cavity once you get the whole thing put together. If it is at all possible to find that bushing, it is well worth it.

79 and 80 in the following diagram
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/o...anufacturer=OMC+Stern+Drive?ion=Transom+Mount

May also actually be possible to drill and tap the existing one. If you l

Ahhhhh. THAT cavity. Yes, I packed that with grease. I like the idea of the zerk, love zerks, and I will attempt to purchase for this years winterization or look at drilling and tapping. Thanks!

 

[HopinImFloatin]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

does your wife have a sister!!!?

 

[wcasey5]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

does your wife have a sister!!!?

LMAO!! No she doesn't.

 

[Ck111484]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

Great write-up, thanks! Will be tackling this myself tomorrow.

Can anyone tell me what exactly needs to be greased, and with what?
When you say "RTV" are you talking about Triple Guard?

 

[Ck111484]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

Also, besides making sure that all the measurements were correct, did you do any additional adjustments afterwards (ie. the 5 step bracket adjustments that everyone talks about)?

 

[wcasey5]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

Great write-up, thanks! Will be tackling this myself tomorrow.

Can anyone tell me what exactly needs to be greased, and with what?
When you say "RTV" are you talking about Triple Guard?

RTV is the gasket sealer, permatex. I used the blue stuff, but there is aviation that you can use. I couldn't find it. It semi hardens to form a seal against water. The Triple guard is the actual grease itself. I greased the bellcrank shaft and pivot points. If you look at the manual, I think it recommensd greasing the casing end guides. I put a very light coating of grease on those, I didn't want to create any drag on the cable actuation.

 

[wcasey5]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

Also, besides making sure that all the measurements were correct, did you do any additional adjustments afterwards (ie. the 5 step bracket adjustments that everyone talks about)?

Yes, I went through the bracket adjustments. I went through the steps and found that the boat would not shift out of forward. So I played with the trunion and wound up threading it back towards the rear of the boat to fine tune the gear engagement. Then I disconnected everything and went throught he bracket adjustment again to verify. It was in spec, shifting good, and I still had my 7 9/16 measurement in neutral.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

RTV is the gasket sealer, permatex. I used the blue stuff, but there is aviation that you can use. I couldn't find it. It semi hardens to form a seal against water.

RTV is an acronym for Room Temperature Vulcanization. It refers to silicone rubber materials that cure (harden) at room temperature rather than using high heat.

 

[wcasey5]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

RTV is an acronym for Room Temperature Vulcanization. It refers to silicone rubber materials that cure (harden) at room temperature rather than using high heat.

COOL! I never knew that.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

Yes, I went through the bracket adjustments. I went through the steps and found that the boat would not shift out of forward. So I played with the trunion and wound up threading it back towards the rear of the boat to fine tune the gear engagement. Then I disconnected everything and went throught he bracket adjustment again to verify. It was in spec, shifting good, and I still had my 7 9/16 measurement in neutral.[/IMG]

You had to readjust because you didn't use the bellcrank tool. That is why that tool is an important one to have.

 

[wcasey5]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

You had to readjust because you didn't use the bellcrank tool. That is why that tool is an important one to have.

That's a big part of it. But I was off doing the 5 step bracket adjustment as well, basically because I didn't fully grasp the adjustment until I started spinning the prop by hand and putting the drive in and out of gear. But yes, my protractor got me close to 90 degrees, but not exact. However it must have been very close because after adjusting the trunion, and getting it to neutral, my cable measurement was correct. After connecting the cable, I measured the throw of the bellcrank and it looked pretty even for forward and reverse.

I may invest in the bellcrank tool for next time, it would make the procedure more accurate and faster.

 

[Ck111484]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

So I'm in the middle of this right now; just got done removing the old cable, about to start putting in the new one.

Any chance anyone could elaborate on the 90degree bellcrank issue? I think I do, but I'm not entirely sure I grasp the concept. What exactly do you measure with the protractor?

Also, would you be able to explain the cable adjustments is laymans terms? I'm having a little trouble understanding what I'm supposed to do.

I'm BRAND new with boats, so any help is appreciated!
Thanks.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

Honestly I would not use the protractor method. It leaves to much variation. I use the strait edge method. It may not be exact but I know it is what they used in the factory.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

Honestly I would not use the protractor method. It leaves to much variation. I use the strait edge method. It may not be exact but I know it is what they used in the factory.

It is not what they used at the factory. There is an OMC bellcrank tool with an OMC part number assigned to it. Not sure where you heard that.



This thread should be a sticky:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=532964

Wcasey5, the reason it was not in neutral after you set the cable adjustment was because the bellcrank was not at 90? when you set the cable. Once you moved your shift lever so that the boat was in neutral, you lost your measurement right? I have replaced 3 or 4 of these cables and always used the bellcrank tool. I couldn't imagine doing the job without it.

The 5 step method is Stuart's interpretation of the OMC instructions and probably isn't even the most current OMC instructions. Been awhile since I had the latest OMC instructions...they were ammending them often and just because you have an OMC manual, doesn't mean you have the latest instructions.

 

[wcasey5]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

It is not what they used at the factory. There is an OMC bellcrank tool with an OMC part number assigned to it. Not sure where you heard that.



This thread should be a sticky:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=532964

Wcasey5, the reason it was not in neutral after you set the cable adjustment was because the bellcrank was not at 90? when you set the cable. Once you moved your shift lever so that the boat was in neutral, you lost your measurement right? I have replaced 3 or 4 of these cables and always used the bellcrank tool. I couldn't imagine doing the job without it.

The 5 step method is Stuart's interpretation of the OMC instructions and probably isn't even the most current OMC instructions. Been awhile since I had the latest OMC instructions...they were ammending them often and just because you have an OMC manual, doesn't mean you have the latest instructions.

I totally agree that the template is the way to go. But in my case, it didn't go into neutral because I had messed up the engine bracket adjustment. My trunion was way too far forward, and when I put the control in neutral the cable wasn't retreating far enough to put the drive in neutral. I eyeballed the engine bracket instead of measuring it. When I realized how the thing was adjusted, I looked at the manual and stewarts web site to figure out what was wrong.

Without the helm controls hooked up, I had the drive in neutral and properly adjusted on the transom cable. Even throw, 90 degrees, 7 9/16. When I hooked up the helm control, I had the trunion in the wrong position because I hadn't figured out how it worked. And it wouldn't go into neutral.

Basically, the 90degree bellcrank is so that the bellcrank is perpendicular to the housing. This gives you even bellcrank through in both the forward and reverse direction. Otherwise, the drive doesn't go all the way into either gear.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

I know for a fact it was done this way. Im not saying it was always done this way. But it was used somewhat. This is from a quality tech that worked at the factory.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

Basically, the 90degree bellcrank is so that the bellcrank is perpendicular to the housing. This gives you even bellcrank through in both the forward and reverse direction. Otherwise, the drive doesn't go all the way into either gear.

Its not only that but the fact that if you have the drive in neutral, the bellcrank will have to be at 90?. That 90? is actually determined by the shift fork on the drive itself. When you reinstall the drive, that fork will slide perfectly onto the bellcrank when it is adjusted properly. If the bellcrank is not at 90, putting on the drive will move the bellcrank into 90? thus messing up all your adjustments up at the engine.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

I know for a fact it was done this way. Im not saying it was always done this way. But it was used somewhat. This is from a quality tech that worked at the factory.

So...you are saying that OMC factory techs did not use the tool that they specify to use in their shop manuals? If that's really true, no wonder they had so many warranty recall repairs on these in the beginning.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: Changed my shift cable, here is what I did. NOTE ** NEWBIE **

You would be surprised!
What i dont know, is what theboat manufacturer did for adjustments. If any.