transmission and shifting

[Fstued]

I have an 1976 Newport 30. The shifting is hard I can go forward and reverse no problem but I really have to crank on the lever. I think I have found the problem but I am unsure as to why it is like this.
Presently the cable comes from the shifter at the helm and goes to the forward of the engine. It wraps around the engine by the fly wheel and goes back to the transmission lever. I don't know why it does this it makes for a long cable with lots of bends, hence the hard shifting. It seems to me I could shorten the cable and have it go from the transmission right up the binnacle to the **** lever. I know forward would now be down and revers up But so what, change the labels.
Any one have a clue has to why it might be like this?
Thanks

[BunnyPlanet169]

I suspect what you're saying is true - the shift cable routing is to preserve the orientation on the pedestal. But it's just as likely the original installer only had long cables....

That said, cables need to be replaced from time to time, and a new shift cable shouldn't be tough to move with one or two large radius bends.

Note - the shift lever can be installed on either side of the engine, and can be oriented to stick up or point down. Assuming some room next to the engine, you have a lot of options for shift orientation.

[Al Schober]

Suspect the shift cable can be connected either for/aft of the shift lever - my shifter has an arm on either side. Figure out what you need, get the right length cable, and go to it.

[alcodiesel]

I had a brutal shifter. It would take 20 seconds to shift from fwd to rev. Sheesh! These guys guided me through replacing the cable. I got mine through Amazon for best price. Shifts easily and smoothly now. What a difference. Worth the effort. Not that hard a job.

[JOHN COOKSON]

Any one have a clue has to why it might be like this?
Thanks

I always have wondered about this kind of monkey business.
Maybe when your boat was built there were no correct length cables on hand so they substituted a longer cable meant to be used on a larger boat. Only a guess.

TRUE GRIT

[ndutton]

I suspect the factory made an ill advised decision for the long circuitous cable run in favor of shift lever direction in operation. A much simpler and better (and less costly) solution would have been to route the cable directly as you intend but connect it to the bottom of the tranny shift arm. It will need a different cable clamp arrangement to lead it fairly but at least the preferred shifter direction is preserved.

[Fstued]

ENGINE now rebuilt and it shifts much easier but i didn't have any speed in forward seemed like it wasn't engaging fully. First venture off the dock since the rebuilt so I was a little disappointed Reverse didn't work at all but the new exhaust system was in the way. Fixed that with a special hammer placement. Now the forward gear might take more than a hammer

[alcodiesel]

When I follow Don's manual for gear box adjusting it shifts just like it is supposed to.

[Fstued]

Is that in the engine manual I went out today withthe new rebuilt engine and reverse worked great. BUt forward didn't happen. the boat speed was 2kn maybe and has I revered the engine it didn't get any faster. I do need a new Tach but you can here the RPMS The boat would only go 2kn max.At least reverse worked
The transmission is slipping? not engaging fully?

[JOHN COOKSON]

Try disconnecting the shift cable at the trany and shift by hand using the lever on the side of the trany.
This will tell you what to adjust -the trany or the shift cable.

TRUE GRIT

[Fstued]

I did that today. I motored off the slip at 2kn So the prop was turning. Pushed the trannie lever hard to forward and it did not engage fully. RPMs up bjt no increased speed.

[JOHN COOKSON]

I've never had to do it but trany forward and reverse adjustments are covered in detail in the Moyer manual.

TRUE GRIT

Edit: The prop is squeaky clean I presume?

[roadnsky]

I've never had to do it but trany forward and reverse adjustments are covered in detail in the Moyer manual.

Adjustment procedure attached.

Also, remember that this and a lot of other documents are available in the Drawings and Schematics Section