Lower shift cable replacement 1988 4.3 alpha one gen 1

[Classic88]

I’m just doing a cable replacement here and having real trouble routing the new cable in through the transom. I’m just hitting the back of the engine and can’t get past it. in fact, I’m a little concerned that I may have bent the cable a little too much in my attempts. 2 questions: 1. Any special advice on how to get this routing right? I can’t even find the right opening to guide it through.... 2. How sensitive is the cable? If I curved it too much in the wrong direction, is it ruined? Many thanks for any insight!

 

[Bt Doctur]

You shoud have asked for directions before removing the old one. Now the hard part comes.
Get a coat hanger and make a 1/2 inch closed loop in the end ,like the letter P
Now look at where the cable comes in from the back of the boat you should see the brass end. have a helper move the cable back until you can capture it with the coathanger and guide it into the boat.
Try not to get is stuck in the flywheel area because you will have to pull the motor to clear it

 

[Bt Doctur]

star wars cave monster

 

[achris]

The 'trick' is to tie a line to the old cable BEFORE you remove it. That way you have a pull cord in place to guide the new cable into the same path the old one was.

Now that you have taken that option off the table, you have 2 choices. The first is what BT suggests. If that doesn't work, pull the engine out, and set the cable up like this. (Even with the engine in place, it still has to be routed like this)



Chris.......

 

[nola mike]

As for #2, "pretty sensitive". If you kinked it, replace it. You don't want to do this again, right? With the cable out of the boat, there should be *no* resistance. If it's anything less than perfectly smooth replace it.

 

[Luv2fish36]

I'll admit in my newbie days I shoved one into the bell housing got it somehow wrapped up in the flywheel. After an hour of torture I had no other choice but to tell the boss and lift the motor up out of this Trophy. PITA. what a bad day. Get a buddy on the other end of the cable you guys will get it.

and what you dont want to do with these cables is twist them.

 

[Classic88]

Thanks, everyone, for all the helpful input. With a helper and the use of the coat hanger (great tip) and a long screwdriver, we got it through....! Thanks again for the help.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Now put this in your manual.
When changing a lower shift cable use a solid core from a control cable , remove the drive, remove the inner core, pass solid core thru old casing of old cable and out the back of the housing. unscrew old cable and pull out leaving the solid core to use as a guide.
Pull enough of core thru to exit the new cable core and vise grip the end of the core. Have a helper pull from inside while you push from the outside guiding the new cable along the solid cores path.Once you have the brass end of the new cable , remove the solid core and proceed with normal assembly