Throttle cable length

[mia9516]

Specs:
4.3L Mercruiser Alpha One w/2bbl Mercarb

What is the length supposed to be from the barrel nut to the carb throttle lever? Mine has a bend in it that's causing the idle cam arm to bend towards the front. I'm 100% sure that that is not normal. I tried adjusting the barrel nut to relieve some of that bend but that caused the motor to rev up uncontrollably. Thanks in advance.

 

[CFM56-7]

There is no one size fits all setting for the throttle cable as it varies with each application. First, confirm your idle is set properly with the cable disconnected from the carb. Once this is accomplished, you will adjust the barrel nut on the throttle cable so that at idle, just a slight positive pressure is applied to the throttle lever in the closed position.

If your throttle lever/idle cam is bending, you have too much pressure applied in the idle position and your adjustment was too excessive.

CFM

 

[Bt Doctur]

mounted on the carb, the cable and guide must be straight

 

[mia9516]

Thank you both for you help. I wish I would've asked earlier in order to avoid a possible replacement in the future because the arm is bent. Such is the life of a boat owner though