Hi everybody,
Thanks for everybody's input. We have Heim joints mounted on both ends of the cable to eliminate all play, and the ends of the cable are securely mounted in rather large aluminum, custom-made cable clamps.
Also, as I stated before, engaging the forward detent by hand is almost impossible. If we adjust the collar to make it easier to engage the forward detent then the clutch plates slip. So, we are unable to find the 'sweet spot' where forward detent can be engaged by hand, and the clutch plates are not slipping.
We are using a Teleflex marine cable, the 33C Red Jacket 13' long.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...classNum=50394
Model CC33213. It sounds like my cable is not as thick as some of you are using.
Take a look at this photo to see the mounting assembly for the control end of the cable:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1165763...80505027181410.
Lastly, I am using 10W30 oil, would switching to SAE 30 weight/or ATF help?