Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by mtross on 09/06/13 - 4:27 PM

I'm about to install the control cables on a Mercury 25 4 stroke. Seems straight forward, Mercury talks about 'preloading' the shift cable, what does that mean? Would appreciate any tips for attaching the cables to the engine. Also...any tips for starting the engine for the first time, it is used but well takin' care of.

thanks for your time,
Mitch

Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/06/13 - 4:38 PM

It always HELPS to mention the year as the Guidelines mention on the Front Page.

Posted by tedious on 09/06/13 - 7:53 PM

Mitch, on preloading the shift cable, you want the neutral on the shifter and the neutral on the motor to match up. You'll have some free play in the cable, so with the shifter end hooked up and both motor and shifter in neutral, move the inner cable back and forth in the sheath and use a felt tip pen to mark the ends of the range of motion on that inner cable. Then put another mark midway, and keep that inner cable at that midway point as you adjust the cable length and fit it to the shift arm.

Phew - easier to do than describe!

Posted by mtross on 09/07/13 - 5:48 PM

Thanks Tedious, I think I understand; you're right probably become more obvious when I try it.
Ran into a probalem with the steering link rod; suppose to be a ball joint at the engine end, seems to be seized, anybody run into that before, any suggestions?

thanks all,
mitch