1981 Sea Ray Sundancer won't shift into gear

[Bill Nelson]

Problem #2: Shifter is really tight, can go into gear. When I removed the control shifter cable per the T/S instructions, it moved freely. Transom cable, on the other hand is tight as a drum and won't budge. Any ideas what the problem could be?

 

[Ned]

Take the shifter apart and grease it up. Spray wd40 where ever you can. Look for grease fittings at your steering and shift cables behind the engine.

 

[Bill Nelson]

Take the shifter apart and grease it up. Spray wd40 where ever you can. Look for grease fittings at your steering and shift cables behind the engine.

Yep, thanks Ned! It was frozen internally!
The motor got hot, which...
melted the shielding which...
allowed corrosion in which...
caused the cable to seize