Replacement shifter

[xanthras]

Just picked up a 1990 Starcraft Heritage 1901. The boat is as clean as they come. The only issue is that the shifter is starting to go. It is really stiff to use, I need to move it super gently but with force so that it functions normally. Especially when throttling down, if I am not careful it cuts the engine back so fast it jolts you forward. The mechanic I work with said the shifter needs to be replaced.

Anyone have any recomendations on what I should look for, Avoid or ask for? The motor is a 3.0 litre with Alpha One Outdrive. He was quoting me like $4-600 bucks parts and labor.

The current shifter is a QuickSilver, I have seen Teleflex on a few sites.

Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacement shifter

I would bet money it's one of the cables and not the shifter itself.
Disconnect the shift cable from the engine (The cable that goes from the control to the engine) then see if the shifter moves. If it moves easily, have a friend hold the end of the cable to prevent you from shifting and see if it makes it stiff again. If he does prevent you from moving it, the cable is the problem.

 

[xanthras]

Re: Replacement shifter

Don S, thanks for the repy. I will make sure we give that a try before we replace it. Just wondering here, but there is two cables coming from the shifter right? One for the throttle, one for the gearing. Would it be safe to assume that since when I am in neutral I can easlily move the throttle, only when in gear it is tough that the shift cable is for sure bad? Or is it still a possibility that the shifter itself is bad? In any case I am going to wait till the end of the season. Only a little time left here in CNY.

 

[superpop]

Re: Replacement shifter

I would be very careful if you are going to wait to fix it. More than likely it is a cable, and if it is a cable then that puts a lot of pressure on the shifting assembly that it is not designed to handle. Cables are not that expensive, but the controllers are if you break that. I would just take a few hours and replace both cables so you do not have to worry about it again. Disconnect the cables from the controller first and I am guessing the shifter will now move like butter.