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Shift Cable routing

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Scottybluewater

Contributing Member
Question - must the new shift cable match exactly the same route or path as the original/ previous one
The new cable does fit the barrel to its holder

Thanks
 

Installing the Lower shift cable wire core

Installing the wire core into the Lower shift cable housing - the housing has been installed The sterndrive is pre-alpha - I cannot push the wire core through. - the housing goes through the transom then 90 degrees up to as far as it will go. - this was done with a helper to screw in the brass...
www.marineengine.com
 
Hola - this is a long read

I followed the diagram as best l could - my situation is not the same - the first decision is to route the cable under or over the u-joint driveshaft/coupler- then there is that big water hose - then l am faced with the 180 degree turn of the shift cable to the shift plate. (under the exhaust riser ?)

I did take pictures before ( on the shift plate) so l know the original routing - the new shift cable housing is much more rigid than the old one. The brass fitting of the cable at the shift plate is thicker.
I have the new cable with the core installed (Barrel in its holder) and it is not that far off. The new core wire slides in and out ok.
I understand that everything involved must work perfectly together in order to shift gears properly.

Just to add confusion - I don't know if i am using the right shift cable assembly.

The Sterndrive is 1979 - Mercury Marine gave me the part number for the major shift cable kit. - the shift cable housing is not the same - the brass fitting at the shift plate is 1 1/2 inch longer - no way could l installed that. - researching on the web l noticed that the minor shift kit had the same brass end as the old cable - so l bought it - even though it has the same brass end the diameter of the inner core wire was much smaller and weaker - long story short - l took the inner wire core from the major kit (stronger) and installed it into the cable housing of the minor kit -both kits were advertised to fit my sterndrive.
Kgoust what are your thoughts on the way l have the new cable installed.
 
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Thanks - is this kit Mercruiser or Sierra and why are there two gaskets.?

The part numbers given to me were by Mercury Marine ( Mercruiser) and they confirmed that these kits would fit my Pre-Alpha sterndrive.
I did not see any Mercruiser Shift cable kits with two gaskets.

full kit - 865436A03
minor kit - 86536A02
The shift cable housings and the inner core wires are not the same. ?

The inner core on the original shift cable was all metal,
 
Scottybluewater said:
Thanks - is this kit Mercruiser or Sierra and why are there two gaskets.?

The part numbers given to me were by Mercury Marine ( Mercruiser) and they confirmed that these kits would fit my Pre-Alpha sterndrive.
I did not see any Mercruiser Shift cable kits with two gaskets.

full kit - 865436A03
minor kit - 86536A02
The shift cable housings and the inner core wires are not the same. ?

The inner core on the original shift cable was all metal,
Click to expand...
I think the two gaskets are slightly different upper one has an extra hole between the bellhousing stud holes for the lube line on newer drives.

As far as your question about routing it use the factory diagrams Kghost posted only way to route it V engine is a little trickier . I use weedwacker wrire after taking out old core to be able to snake the new outer cable up
 
There are 2 gaskets because one is for 1967 thru 1982 (bottom) and the other is 1983 and newer (top).
 
99% of all gasket kits for drive to bell housing have the one at top with extra hole.

If you get both, either will work.
 
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