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shortening cables

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raddksn

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I picked up a fixer upper pontoon boat, someone must have repowered at some point. the shift and throttle cables are way to long and are zig zagged underneath the deck. causing very stiff operation of the shift/throttle lever. I'm wondering if the cables can be shortened or just buy proper length cables? the motor is 88/89 merc 3 cyl 60hp!

thanks in advance for any help!:confused:
 
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Call Tim's Outboard in Hackensack MN, 218 682 2331. Get needed length....measure, give 'em a call. In your hands in 2 or 3 days. I just did one late last fall. Johnson Stinger. 4069_compress6.jpg
Cables wear out anyway, just may as well do it right. Mike or Dan might have mint used ones too.
 
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Sorry Pappy, just giving some options for those that might be unemployed now and can't swing a new set.
 
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I get cherry picked stuff from Mike over at Tim's. Take em apart and lube nicely the interior. In my life never had a comeback on cables....but there's always a "first time". For me there is never enough lube on cables even when new. Some cables, of course, are not designed to be dismantled. It's our "throw away world" I guess. Just changed the fuel pump on my 74 Chevy truck....cost 20 bucks and 30 minutes leaning over the grill. Think about the crap out there now? Some you gotta take the box off....WTF? Now THATS real engineering. Remember, never run em below 1/4 tank, but why? Stupid question? Many people out there can't even answer it.
 
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Remember, never run em below 1/4 tank, but why? Stupid question? Many people out there can't even answer it.​
Click to expand...

That's a old wifes tale..same as ignition will be damaged if wires not grounded. If the fuel pump is running its being cooled by fuel drawn thru it no matter the level..only time it overheats is if ran out of fuel.
 
It goes back to the theory of "thermal mass". Another thought? Why are people amazed when I start my old stuff with the "tap" of a key? Here's what engineering has done/not done. When we turn off an EFI engine, we defeat injectors and spark simultaneously. This leaves no fuel charge in the cylinder for your restart...... So what happens with a carbureted engine? Dah! Wise engineers would put the fuel system on a timer so when you shut the engine it leaves a tiny charge of fuel by prolonging the injection operation when you shut off the spark.
 
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