As an FYI I have a 1968 Inline 6 cyl 250c.i. 160HP GM engine with a MC 160 outdrive with 24/24 gear count 1.65 ratio.
Is the shift cable one piece? meaning, does the shift cable go all the way from the shift handle to the shift lever in the outdrive? Or does the cable go into the transom plate mechanism and another shift cable comes from the transom plate mechanism to the outdrive?
I am asking because I am about to put my 1968 pre-alpha 160 drive back on in a week or so but am not clear on the cabel situation. When I recently changed the shifter out the shift cable at the shifter moved easily and smooth. So it seems that it would be a good cable.
The problems I was having before was not being able to shift from forward and reverse without cutting the ignition off. Thanks to this forum, I was pointed to the shift interupt switch that was not even connected. I connected the wires and it actually worked, BUT it was still very stiff going in and out of gear, sometimes I would have to go back and forth with it a few times swiftly to get it to go into reverse from forward and vice versa. But at least I didnt have to turn the boat off to change gears. Now also know that the outdrive was in BAD shape. I posted a thread about nearly blowing the outdrive off about a week ago. the gimbal bearing was basically fused, not sure how the drive shaft was even turning. Lots of rust and ware on the drive shaft and u joints. Even the engine couple splines are bad. Also the shift cable lever in the outdrive housing is pretty gummed up, so could that be why it was not shifting in and out as smooth as it should? Could the shift interrupt button not be working correctly? I figure the shift interupt switch is a works or doesnt work at all type situation, I may be wrong.
Anyway, my main question is how the shift cable works....is there a seperate cable in the outdrive itself that might be bad? Because when pulling and pushing on the shift cable at the shifter by hand it moved freely.
Thanks!
Is the shift cable one piece? meaning, does the shift cable go all the way from the shift handle to the shift lever in the outdrive? Or does the cable go into the transom plate mechanism and another shift cable comes from the transom plate mechanism to the outdrive?
I am asking because I am about to put my 1968 pre-alpha 160 drive back on in a week or so but am not clear on the cabel situation. When I recently changed the shifter out the shift cable at the shifter moved easily and smooth. So it seems that it would be a good cable.
The problems I was having before was not being able to shift from forward and reverse without cutting the ignition off. Thanks to this forum, I was pointed to the shift interupt switch that was not even connected. I connected the wires and it actually worked, BUT it was still very stiff going in and out of gear, sometimes I would have to go back and forth with it a few times swiftly to get it to go into reverse from forward and vice versa. But at least I didnt have to turn the boat off to change gears. Now also know that the outdrive was in BAD shape. I posted a thread about nearly blowing the outdrive off about a week ago. the gimbal bearing was basically fused, not sure how the drive shaft was even turning. Lots of rust and ware on the drive shaft and u joints. Even the engine couple splines are bad. Also the shift cable lever in the outdrive housing is pretty gummed up, so could that be why it was not shifting in and out as smooth as it should? Could the shift interrupt button not be working correctly? I figure the shift interupt switch is a works or doesnt work at all type situation, I may be wrong.
Anyway, my main question is how the shift cable works....is there a seperate cable in the outdrive itself that might be bad? Because when pulling and pushing on the shift cable at the shifter by hand it moved freely.
Thanks!
