Help with control cables.

[Scoots]

Hello all,

I recently purchased a 1971 Merc 50 and I feel a little like a one armed paper hanger. I cannot seem to figure out the correct way to install the cable so that everything works the way it is supposed to. Can anyone tell me the correct procedure to follow when installing these cables. The guy that I got the motor from says he has the manual, however, he has to find it first. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Help with control cables.

You are installing the cables onto the motor? If so, move the throttle handle from neutral to forward. The first cable to move is the shift cable. That is installed first. Put the control back in neutral and remove the cowling of the motor. The shift cable end is installed in the fitting on the shift slider. Make sure the motor is in neutral (prop spins both ways freely), and push the peanut shaped piece of aluminum aside to expose the pin that holds the shift cable end. Put the cable end onto the pin and adjust the barrel nut to fit the clamp, bottom hole. Now pivot the peanut-shaped device over shift cable. tighten the nut.

Now install the throttle cable. The throttle cable end fits on the throttle arm, under the nut, and the barrelnut takes the remaining hole in the clamp. Adjust the barrel nut to force the throttle closed and add a bit of preload.

 

[Scoots]

Re: Help with control cables.

Thanks for the help!! I really appreciate it! Apparently I have mad quite a mess for myself here. When I originally put the motor on the boat I put the cables on incorrectly( each cable to the wrong spot). Thinking that I had it right I proceeded to shift it into forward, removed the lower unit and replace the impellar. I now have the lower unit back on, however, the motor is in forward. How do I go about getting it into neutral to proceed with installing the cables CORRECTLY???

 

[cell]

Re: Help with control cables.

If your sure of the gear the outboard is in just leave it there,and put the controls in the gear the matches it.Then connect the cables to outboard.

If it still doesn't work right you most likely have to drop the lower unit,and make sure IT is in the right gear for reassembly.Sounds confusing but its cake.Post back if it doesn't shift right after you do the top suggestion.

 

[Scoots]

Re: Help with control cables.

I took the lower unit off again last night( before reading your last post) and tried turning the shift rod by hand very slowly. No matter what position it was in the prop reacted the same( turning/clicking clockwise and not able to turn counter clockwise. I t really didn't feel like the shift rod was connecting with anything below it. Shouldn't I have been able to get the prop to spin free/ shift into neutral by doing this?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Help with control cables.

Scoots, There is a neutral detent. Your fingers will not have enough grip to put the motor into neutral. Use a cresent wrench or pliers around the base of the shift shaft to carefully turn it into neutral.
The LU will "click" into neutral and stay there while you reinstall it. Do not strip the splines and do grease both splines before reinstall.

 

[cell]

Re: Help with control cables.

I found using a socket was a lot easier.I didn't have the room to use a wrench to turn the shift shaft.

 

[Scoots]

Re: Help with control cables.

Thanks for your help guys. I really appreciate it. I've always owned tiller steer, so this this is all new to me.