Bracket for Shift Cable
 

I bought my boat with a recently rebuilt A4. After correcting a few problems, I got the engine running. Since then I have not had a single problem. The A4 is very reliable.

When the rebuilt A4 was installed, the outer housing of the shift cable was mounted to a thin bulkhead. When shifting, the bulkhead would flex, and has started to crack. I am in the process of fixing the bulkhead and I'm wondering why the shift cable housing is mounted to a bulkhead. I would think the logical mount is a bracket attached to the engine.

What is the usual attachment point for the shift cable housing? Does anyone sell an engine mounted bracket?

Thanks,
Dave Gardner
Ericson 29
"To The Moon"

Dave,

You're 100% correct! The shifting cable retaining bracket should indeed be attached securely to the engine. Unfortunately, each boat builder made their own bracket.

In most cases, angle iron (approximately 1 1/4" by 1/8" thick) was used as the basic building material. One length of angle iron was drilled to accommodate the bolt pattern along one side of the reversing gear cover plate, and then other pieces were welded on as necessary to get the end of the bracket to a location behind the shifting lever to accommodate the cable.

What you'll have to do is remove the cable from the bulkhead and hold it behind the shifting lever in a location that will work, and then take those measurements in to a local machine/fabricating shop to have the bracket built. It will probably be easier for the shop to make the bracket than it will be for you to design the measurements. Be sure to take the little "U" bracket from the bulkhead along, so they can drill holes in the correct location to bolt it to the end of the bracket, so you'll be able to attach the cable.

Regards,

Don

shifter cable bracket
 

I have seen some interesting cable bracket photos in this forum but i cannot
seem to find my way back to them. One was angle iron with a 2x4 mounted to
it that looked quite adequate. Can anyone direct me back there ?

Thank you.

This thread has several examples of bracket setups, including one with what appears to be a 2x4:

https://www.moyermarineforum.com/for...ead.php?t=9908

Hope this helps.

Jack.

My T30 had the engine end of the shift cable jacket attached to a block bonded to the hull. Worked fine until block became unbonded from the hull. Of course, the block was under the hull liner and inaccessible. Steel bracket to the engine is best.

this is what i did for my early model A4 ,took a piece of steel angle cut one side bent it into a Z ( because the early gear box are at a steep angle ) use 3/4 inch oak as a backing . I did end up putting a brace to the fiberglass not shone her . Looks a little crude but rock soildAttachment 16177

The plastic plumbing thru-hull is a bit :eek::eek: