I need advice on securing throttle/shift cables

[guy48065]

My 79 Crest--nicknamed "Frankenboat" by the previous owner--had the gear control action reversed. Push forward to reverse, etc. Last weekend I took it apart & switched the cable to the other side of the bellcrank and now it works correct...almost. Problem is it "sticks" near WOT. The throttle never did this before so I don't know why moving the shift cable would have any effect on the throttle. With the end disconnected from the motor throttle lever I can move the control smoothly from idle to WOT but when I pull it back it hesitates, then snaps about an inch. In use that feels to be about a 2000 rpm drop and if anyone is standing it can pitch them forward.

A co-worker suggested Frankenboat might not have the control cables properly secured. I'll have to check this weekend but I need to know--what is "properly" secured?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: I need advice on securing throttle/shift cables

If the shift cable is just flopping around, you will have a ton of lost motion. On an OMC Cobra I had, securing the cable so it had no movement along its length while I shifted made a huge difference.

 

[cr2k]

Re: I need advice on securing throttle/shift cables

It doesn't take alot to secure it.Simply zip tying to the others in to a bundle with a tye about foot should do it. Are you sure you got the barrels back in the lugs and if yur control is not a Brand specific, that matches you drive, you cloud have made the connection to the wrong hole and the throw is wrong.

 

[guy48065]

Re: I need advice on securing throttle/shift cables

The controller wasn't very complicated and it would be hard to screw up moving one cable from end of the lever to the opposite end. The 2 cable ferrules have plastic gimbals on them to allow the cable to pivot to follow the arc of the bellcranks inside. These are back in their pockets and working correctly.

This controller might not be original to the boat or motor ("Frankenboat"). The PO told me it came from another boat and was mounted on the other side of the console--hence the opposite shifter action. I guess he didn't know they are reversible inside.

The controller is screwed to the side of the console and the cables pass thru a hole to the inside, then down thru a hole in the deck. I think the hole in the console is too close to the controller and might bind the cables--but I don't have anything to compare this 30-some year old setup to.

It's weird to me that the "snap" I'm seeing in the throttle cable is on retract (slower), when the cable is being pulled. Any time I've had cable control issues in the past it's been in the push direction.