Cable adjustments on inline 6

[Georgia Boy]

Can someone tell me how they adjust there throttle and shift cable on the old inline mercs? the damn thing is giving me a fit, and i have gotten frustrated which just makes it worse, any help advice would be appreciated.

[eautosales]

i adjusted mine on the pivot inside the control box

[Jeff_G]

Depends on which motor as for the throttle but, for the shift put the motor in neutral, then line up the barrel on the cable. Then once connected shift in forward to ensure full engagement. Do the same for reverse. For throttle put at idle until throttle adjust screw is aganist stop. Adjust cable barrel. Then give full throttle to ensure all 3 carbs open to full. If not adjust the linkage between the carbs.

[dan agnew]

jeff put it rite, adjust shift from neutral. i dont think there is an adjustment in the box unless you are using 3300 cables and the adapter kit.
throttle i adjust the engine speed in the water and in gear when you get it to idle in and out of gear now adjust the barrel on the throttle cable to preload the idle stop screw about 1/2 to 1 turn and when you return to neutral it will slide out of gear and will pull throttle back to stop screw.

Danny

[Georgia Boy]

Danny i finally got the throttle adjusted, I was close but it was not pushing the returning the throttle all the way back to the stop screw. the extra turn did just the trick, the shift cable however I can not get, I put the box in neutral, the engine in neutral and attach it and get it where it goes into forward pretty well, but it still does not want to go into reverse, the throttle start reving before it engages, any idea as to what i am doing wrong?

[Jeff_G]

Which control box are you using? You may have the control cables on the wrong point inside the box. What year is the motor and box?

Take both cables off the motor. Shift into neutral. While watching both cables does the shift cable move into gear fully before the throttle cable begins to move? Does it do the same with reverse? If the throttle cable moves before or at the same time as the shift cable you have a control box problem. Make sure you have identified the right cables! The first to move is the shift.

[Georgia Boy]

1972 merc 1400 and I am assuming that it is the original control box that came with the motor. it was on the boat when i got it, Blue and silver merc sticker across it and no trim on the handle, has key switch in it also. I think that the box itself is ok, because it worked ok before I unhooked it all. Some how the cables got played with when i was working on the boat and the barrels got misaligned, I should have taped them inplace. I will check to see which one moves first. also should there be any play in your shift shaft while in neutral as far as being able to turn it, or should it be stiff?

[Jeff_G]

You should be able to jiggle (technical term) it a little bit but no real play. Make sure your shift linkage on the side of the powerhead isn't binding, or that the nut isn't too tight.

[Clams Canino]

I set my shift lever barrel to be more at the reverse end of the "wiggle" area. I wan't it to come out of gear for sure from drive to neutral.

-W

[Georgia Boy]

I have the right cables routed to the right place, soit has to be a bad adjustment, I tried adjusting the barrel closer to the reverse in neutral and that help a lot, so I think i will put it in the water and try it a little more in a day or so, thanks for the help guys!

[Jeff_G]

Be careful with adjusting any cable more towards reverse, The inlines have a detent in forward and neutral so if you adjust it right all will be OK. I have seen many "mechanics" adjust the cable towards reverse when the clutch and gear dogs wear. This can help for a short while but screw up forward. On the inlines put it in neutral and the cable in neutral you shoulod have the same amount of travel in both directions.

[Clams Canino]

When I said "toward reverse" I meant "that end of the slop" not pushing the lever.

-W