Wrong shift cable maybe?

[OneFineFiftyNine]

Hey gang,

I have a problem with my shift cable on my boat. This is the shift cable that was on the boat when I got it, and I have never actually gotten the boat on the water. The boat is a 1970 Larson with a Mercruiser 120 I/0 with what I assume is an MC-1 drive. However, it appears as though the shift cable is threaded from the bellhousing side of the boat, meaning that if you are standing outside the boat facing the transom, you can see the retaining nut.

The problem is, I can't go into reverse. With the outdrive removed, I can see why. When I try to shift into reverse, the black plastic end piece of the shift cable - the piece that turns the shaft in the bellhousing - hits the bellhousing itself. There isn't enough travel in the cable to go into reverse.

When you go into forward, the cable obviously moves normally. At first I thought it might be an adjustment problem, but I don't think THAT much adjustment can be made and still be able to hook the cable up, and if you adjust it enough for that, I think the cable will be extending way beyond the shaft in the bellhousing when you are in forward.

I'll try and snap pics when I can, probably later this week, to make it easier to see what is going on. But if anyone knows what the problem is from my bad description, feel free to chime in! I'm a boating newbie, so this has really got me baffled!

 

[Don S]

Re: Wrong shift cable maybe?

The new style cable goes into the bellhousing from the outside, so that isn't your problem in itself. Of course if it's improperly installed, that is another problem.
Might try unhooking the cable from the engine side and seeing if there is enough travel when you move the cable by hand. You will have to make sure the slide doesn't turn since the drive is not on to hold it straight. You could be just way out of adjustment.

 

[Scott in MN]

Re: Wrong shift cable maybe?

I had a similar problem recently. The shift slide would not travel far enough forward while manually pulling on the lower shift cable. The slide was hitting the stern part of the old style brass bolt cable fitting through the bell housing. I think someone previously had only partially replaced the cable instead of all the associated works.

I first made sure the lower unit would go into reverse by manually turning the shift rod when detached from the bell housing. I then installed a complete new lower shift cable.

Now, there is enough travel in the shift slide and the lower unit shifts into reverse competely.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Wrong shift cable maybe?

I also had the same symptoms- the shift cable from the helm to the transom was my problem