Proper adjustment for throttle cable/shift cables...

[gene8084]

Hello,

Can someone explain how adjust the throttle cable in relation to shifting to forward / reverse?

When I move the stick forward it takes nearly 3/4 of the 90 degree arc before the engine throttle moves increasing the engine speed. Shifting occurs in the first 10-15 degrees, so I would have thought the throttle could be more gradual.

Simply put, it shifts between 12 and 11 o'clock, seems to do nothing from 11-10 o'clock, and throttles the engine between 10 &9 or maybe even 8 o'lock.

1. Does all this sound normal?
2. I hear a little grumbling of the gears as it shifts into forward or reverse, nothing terrible, but you want to wait until it settles before pushing forward. Is this related to adjustment/linkage or something more involved in the lower unit.

I've got a pretty good mercruiser manual but I can't find anything this specific. Any other recommended sources/documentation?

Thank you.

Gene

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Proper adjustment for throttle cable/shift cables...

Hello,

Can someone explain how adjust the throttle cable in relation to shifting to forward / reverse?

When I move the stick forward it takes nearly 3/4 of the 90 degree arc before the engine throttle moves increasing the engine speed. Shifting occurs in the first 10-15 degrees, so I would have thought the throttle could be more gradual.

Simply put, it shifts between 12 and 11 o'clock, seems to do nothing from 11-10 o'clock, and throttles the engine between 10 &9 or maybe even 8 o'lock.

1. Does all this sound normal?
2. I hear a little grumbling of the gears as it shifts into forward or reverse, nothing terrible, but you want to wait until it settles before pushing forward. Is this related to adjustment/linkage or something more involved in the lower unit.

I've got a pretty good mercruiser manual but I can't find anything this specific. Any other recommended sources/documentation?

Thank you.

Gene

When you say you have a good manual is it Mercruiser #1?......

Anyway the shifting sounds normal....
One thing I would reccomend is shifting firmly into (& out of) gear in one swift motion.....
The throttle cable is a different story.....
Once in gear it should immediately show results when applied.....
If possible have an assistant work the throttle while you observe the movement at the throttle linkage.....
Ya might need a new cable... The good news is they are cheap, like $30........
Hope this helps.....​

 

[gene8084]

Re: Proper adjustment for throttle cable/shift cables...

Thanks. It does help.

I tried shifting firmly and it worked very well. I can hear it engage, but no grinding...more of a mild clunk.

Ok, on the throttle. It seems to work fine...I guess I'd call it too much slack between shifting and throttle results. I suspect your right that I need a new cable. Hard to tell, but I don't think it's ever been changed.

Thanks.

 

[gene8084]

Re: Proper adjustment for throttle cable/shift cables...

opps, you asked which manual.

Clymer, Mercruiser Stern Drive Shop Manual, 1964-1984, Mdl 0, I, II, II-TR, ...

 

[ziggy]

Re: Proper adjustment for throttle cable/shift cables...

mine operates about the same way. i make three motions to shift. break outa neutral, then make the "crisp" shift, then throttle.........both boats i've had i've shifted the same way on......both old mercruisers....

ya can get onto the oem service manual here...it's much better......


"http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/sisdata/srvcovr.pdf"

 

[Mike_B]

Re: Proper adjustment for throttle cable/shift cables...

My carb has 2 holes on the throttle lever where the throttle cable can hook up. When i replaced the engine I mistakenly attached the cable to the top hole, had tons of deadzone slack. I moved it to the other hole and that fixed it.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Proper adjustment for throttle cable/shift cables...

Gene, my throttle lever also has that same dead band, although it's an OMC, it maybe a buffer between engaging forward gear and throttle up just so you have that pause otherwise you could accidently overshoot and throttle up while menuevering around traffic at the docks just a guess, I like the deadband there as long as you can get WOT it's all good.

 

[gene8084]

Re: Proper adjustment for throttle cable/shift cables...

My carb has 2 holes on the throttle lever where the throttle cable can hook up. When i replaced the engine I mistakenly attached the cable to the top hole, had tons of deadzone slack. I moved it to the other hole and that fixed it.

Interesting. I only bought this boat a couple months ago and it's a bit of a project. I just rebuilt the carburetor yesterday and took a bunch of digital pictures along the way. Does your's look anything like the attached picture? and if so is your cable connected on the hole counter clockwise from he current bolt?

 

[Mike_B]

Re: Proper adjustment for throttle cable/shift cables...

Interesting. I only bought this boat a couple months ago and it's a bit of a project. I just rebuilt the carburetor yesterday and took a bunch of digital pictures along the way. Does your's look anything like the attached picture? and if so is your cable connected on the hole counter clockwise from he current bolt?

My Holley carb/throttle plate looks a little different but if i'm remembering correctly I originally hooked up the cable to the topmost hole on the plate (furthest out from the shaft) and moved it to a lower hole, closer to the throttle shaft. With the closer hole, the cable had to move less to move the throttle plate the same distance. I think the hole you mentioned counterclockwise from the current hookup would be similar to where I moved my cable to.

 

[gene8084]

Re: Proper adjustment for throttle cable/shift cables...

...ya can get onto the oem service manual here...it's much better......

"http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/sisdata/srvcovr.pdf"

Thanks for that. I downloaded it last night. Looks really descriptive.

Gene

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Proper adjustment for throttle cable/shift cables...

Thanks for that. I downloaded it last night. Looks really descriptive.

Gene

Now fix your avatar!......

 

[gene8084]

Re: Proper adjustment for throttle cable/shift cables...

Now fix your avatar!......

Ah yes...how sloppy of me!