Pushing stringer cable through intermediate

[Nivekt]

Ive done this once or twice before with success, but this time I cant get the cable to push through without bunching up at the last few inches. Ive tried my usual tricks of water based lube and/or soapy water and nothing is working. The hole in the intermediate is clean. Does anyone have any advice?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Pushing stringer cable through intermediate

Do you have someone pulling on the inside? I just had to pull my cable thru several ports in the outdrive. I used plain old grease to do it. I just slathered the grease on and rubbed it around with my fingers. I now have to install the drive and do what you are doing. I expect no less success.

One thing I notice is that there appears to be a bulge in the cable as it is entering the passageway in the intermediate housing. As your cable is for a full mechanical drive and mine is for a hydro-mechanical drive, there may be a difference. Not sure on that. But I do know your cable looks too dry.

Plain old grease (marine type) is good because it will cut down on any corrosion inside that passageway.

 

[Nivekt]

Re: Pushing stringer cable through intermediate

Mine is a hydro as well. That bulge is the outer rubber sleeve bunching up as I try to pull it through. That's my problem. Always heard greese was bad on these rubber cables because it corroded the rubber but if that's my only course of action I'll try it. Oh and no help either. Pushing a little and then pulling...

 

[Nivekt]

Re: Pushing stringer cable through intermediate

Well Boom, grease did the trick. I can't thank you enough for stopping by. I'd buy you a beer ifyou were near me. I guess well just have to see if the grease hurts the cable over time. I only used a thin coating. Man, i was ready to throw in the towel...or set the boat on fire. Lol.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Pushing stringer cable through intermediate

Great news Nivekt. If I thought that you would have had any on hand, I would have suggested silicone grease. However, my OMC mentor never hesitates to slather anything and evertyhing with marine grease.

How far is Lexington from Greenville? I spent a Thanksgiving weekend there, a few years back, visiting my daughter at Bob Jones University. We took a side trip up to the Cowpens battle sight (NC), then drove down to Hilton Head. It was freezing down there and the place was a ghost town.

My hydro is different than yours to the extent that it is mated to an electric shift intermediate housing. I don't have the clip/wire that you have to hold the cable into the housing. I have to use 3m 5200 to hold it in but it is the same PITA to pull it out and push it back through.

 

[Nivekt]

Re: Pushing stringer cable through intermediate

Greenville, SC is about 110 miles from me. I love Hilton Head. I try to get down there every summer for some relaxation time. Its more of a laid back family spot then a party town.

Thanks again for your help. If you ever want to upgrade that intermediate of yours, let me know. I picked up a complete spare from a full mechanical setup in great condition last year that I could help you out with. It even has the steering box for power steering if you need. Has all the clutch pack stuff, driveshaft, perfect ballgear and everything. Send me a PM if your interested. No sense in it sitting around collecting dust.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Pushing stringer cable through intermediate

....If you ever want to upgrade that intermediate of yours, let me know. ....

I'll give it some thought, Nivekt, thanks! I'm thinking there might be an issue with the boot size/shape between the later intermediate housings and the electric shift IH.

Why did you have your drive off?

 

[Nivekt]

Re: Pushing stringer cable through intermediate

I'll give it some thought, Nivekt, thanks! I'm thinking there might be an issue with the boot size/shape between the later intermediate housings and the electric shift IH.

Why did you have your drive off?

This is why New engine:

Got the rest of it hooked up today and got it running. Now just have to figure out the timing and tuning part of it and Ill be all set!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Pushing stringer cable through intermediate

Sweet, Nivekt. Too bad you have to reach so far back to get to the distributor. :laugh:

What happened to the original motor?

My 302 had hundreds of hours of hard skiing on it and never missed a beat. In a midlife crisis I had a 331 built for it but it got stolen, along with the original motor before I could get it installed. I ended up getting a 5.0/302 Ford Explorer salvage yard motor to replace them. I could not afford to duplicate the stolen 331. As it turns out, a 331 would have ripped the back end of my boat off. The 5.0 roller cam motor is a real screamer. I still have not run it at wide open throttle.



Good luck getting it tuned up and ready to rock and roll.

 

[Nivekt]

Re: Pushing stringer cable through intermediate

Haha. No joke about the dizzy. Its a pain reaching back there to loosen the hold down bolt for it so I can turn it to advance the timing. Im 6'4" and just dont contort that well. You should have seen my big butt trying to get the steering components hooked up behind the motor. Said about 1000 curse words lol.

That motor sure is purdy. I wasnt really willing to put that much effort towards making it look purdy so I just shot a bunch of black paint over everything after I cleaned it up. I had a local engine builder do the long block. Everything else I did. Fell flat on my face with the tuning today as I have never done this before so Im going to give her another go tomorrow.

Thanks for sharing. Lets see some more pics of that beauty. Also, do you have Facebook? If you havent, you should join our Stringer Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277902375646149/

Oh, also, my original motor and manifolds all cracked due to improper winterization. Its a shame too because when I took the old motor apart it was practically brand new inside. Only had about 350 hours on it. Good news is I was able to reuse my rods, crankshaft and camshaft for this motor saving me some money with my engine builder. Plus it was all broken in already so no worries there. Heads were toast though. They were the crappy 62624 casting heads. Thin walled, prone to cracking. Two of the exhaust valves were cracked. My builder even gave me a set of his rebuilt 882 heads at no extra charge. Good guy.

Oh hey, since I now know you are a Ford guy. Months ago I purchased some Ford V8 exhaust manifold gaskets by mistake. I never took them out of the box to verify what I bought when I got them and didnt realize my mistake until months later. I have no use for them and will let them go for the cost of shipping if you want to have a spare set. They are Sierra 18-0183. PM me if you want 'em.