Question about shift cables....

[Salmon Stalker]

I have a 1974 inline 6 engine and a merc outdrive. I've worked out just about all the kinks in the boat with the exception of a shifting problem. When I shift from forward to neutral or reverse to neutral the boat dies. I've decided that it is a problem with the shift cut-out switch. I can watch the micro-swith come out of the cam when it dies. It also shifts really hard into nuetral/reverse. It goes easy into forward. I disconnected the cable from the shifter to the back of the boat to see if the shifter or the shift cable was tight or bound up and it moved freely. However, the cable from the back of the boat down to the outdrive seems very tight. I am wondering if you guys think that if I replace that cable would that help eliminate the movement of the switch so far to kill the motor?

Any suggestions or thoughts?

Thanks... SS

[Boat Doc']

If the switch is activating something is stiff between the switch and the gearcase. It is either the cable and or the bellcrank that the cable moves. Repair of above items will cure the problem.

[Salmon Stalker]

Thanks Boat doc. Is there an easy way to narrow it down between the cable or the bellcrank without having to take too much apart? The reason I ask is that I know to replace the cable the outdrive would have to be pulled. I don't want to do that if I don't have to.

Thanks again,

SS

[Pirate]

I had this problem on an 1986 I/O Merc. It would start fine, but when I tried to put it in gear it would die. Took a while, but as I recall the shift cable was binding in the sleeve that goes into the outdrive. Just ended up squirting WD-40 into the cable sleeve and it loosened it up like new and shifted great after that.
Good Luck.

[Salmon Stalker]

I tried to lube this cable last year and was not able to free it up. I still want to know how I can tell if it's the cable or the housing at the back that the cable attaches to?

[Boat Doc']

Outdrive has to come off