OMC Stringer - difference of shift cables?

[rosbullterrier]

After researching the archives I found the gear shift hydro assist was upgraded in about 1982 / 3 to a mechanical change.
Well the boat has one engine now with the hydro assist and one with the mechanical. I rebuilt both boxes with new shift cables, they are installed and work fine except one shifts to fwd instead of rev.
Not knowing the cable relevance I didn't take note of the their part number - please don't make me take the boat out of the water and dismantle the outdrives to find out. (not a trailable boat)
Of course there was no information in my manuals to point out that the shift cables would be different for the two types of mechanism. (the gearbox shift housing, the shift housing converter and the electric switches are all upgraded on the mechanical shift engine)
The new cable pucks all fitted the correct holes. Instructions were followed to allow correct lengths of cable.
Both cables fit the shift housing converters correctly on the intermediate gearboxes.
So - what's the difference between the old and the upgraded cables?? (mechanical 982563. hydro 982951)
Can't I alter one to suit? - the cable outside casings must be similar.
Or is the cable not the cause of shifting back to front?

 

[racerone]

I think you will find that the hydraulic assist unit shifts to forward with a DOWN motion in the lower unit.-------------The mechanical shift unit, shifts to forward with an UP motion in the lower unit.--------------Look at control boxes to see what you can do , if anything to compensate.--------It is NOT an issue with the cables.

 

[rosbullterrier]

Thank you Racerone - you are giving me great hope -
- price of the new different cable averages $550 (plus vast shipping to UK). These cables altogether could buy most of a different engine setup!

Shall examine both shift converter housings tomorrow . . .

 

[rosbullterrier]

Unfortunately you are absolutely wrong Racerone.
I have received a fresh water used cable for the manual change from USA, and have replaced and tested.

The hydro shift and manual shift cables are the only components which are different unlike the shift housings etc which can be altered.
As is their part numbers.

Despite submissions to four forums, nobody has either known or provided this knowledge.
I hope this advice, taken from experience, helps someone who needs to replace one of these very expensive although available cables.