1980 Sundancer 260 Shift Cable replacement is a real Christmas nightmare!

[Bill Nelson]

Replacing the shift cable on my 1980 Sundancer. I have the outdrive off and I am passing the cable through the transom. It is nearly impossible to reach the cable at the back of the motor, and then I have to manipulate it to port in order to get past the mounts. Is there an easier way to do this?

Any help, as always, much appreciated.

Merry Christmas!

Bill

 

[Bill Nelson]

No love, huh?

 

[Spark600]

Not sure how you are going to do it now but when the old cable was still in the boat you should have tied a string to the old cable and pull it though.
When I did this the hole in the transom was to small for the string and cable at the same time.
They make a tool that looks like a cable that screws onto the old cable and you pull it though then attach the new cable and pull it back out.
I made one from a old Alpha shift cable, Google it lots of info.
Now maybe you can fish and electrical snake in a grab it on the inside. ( not going to be easy )

 

[Bill Nelson]

Not sure how you are going to do it now but when the old cable was still in the boat you should have tied a string to the old cable and pull it though.
When I did this the hole in the transom was to small for the string and cable at the same time.
They make a tool that looks like a cable that screws onto the old cable and you pull it though then attach the new cable and pull it back out.
I made one from a old Alpha shift cable, Google it lots of info.
Now maybe you can fish and electrical snake in a grab it on the inside. ( not going to be easy )

Thanks Spark. That occurred to me after I got the old cable out! Pretty good at Google-Fu and didn't find any that were relevant. Most are on newer boats where access is completely different.

If by "electrical snake" you mean Fish Tape, that is something like the route I will try. I have a Fish tape but it may be a bit too rigid. I think I will use some rebar tie wire I have laying around.

 

[Bill Nelson]

Not sure how you are going to do it now but when the old cable was still in the boat you should have tied a string to the old cable and pull it though.
When I did this the hole in the transom was to small for the string and cable at the same time.
They make a tool that looks like a cable that screws onto the old cable and you pull it though then attach the new cable and pull it back out.
I made one from a old Alpha shift cable, Google it lots of info.
Now maybe you can fish and electrical snake in a grab it on the inside. ( not going to be easy )

I ended up needing someone to push the cable while I grabbed it with Fish Tape. Cable is now in! Thanks!