Freeing up cables

[ArtJ]

Upon winterizing and putting the engine away this fall noticed that my cables are gettng
hard to shift. Believe that it's due to need of lubrication

Throttle, choke cables specifically. How to best get pb blaster or other
to travel down the cable length?


Best Art

[Dave Neptune]

Artj, the only way I have had any luck with shift or throttle cables is to remove them to inspect the "casing" for integrity. If they were good hang them vertically and add "oil" to the cable and let gravity take over ~~ repeat ~~ repeat etc. After soaking for a few days work the cables to see if they are free. Sometimes there is to much corrosion usually in what were the "low spots and they will not completely free up. If the casing is cracked replacing is the only viable option.

Choke cables are usually wire wound and can be sprayed from the outside with penetrating oil. Removing them and hanging will also help.

However in both cases by the time they are removed for servicing it is usually easier to just bite the bullet and replace them for many more years of service.

Dave Neptune

[msmith10]

I'm with Dave. The labor of removing and re-attaching the cables, at least on my boat, feeding them up through the pedestal, is such that I'd rather spend the couple of hundred dollars for new cables and know that I'm good for another 10-15 years.
I've tried soaking them in various cleaners and lubricants, only to discover they were too far gone internally to reuse.

[ArtJ]

Thanks Dave and Mark

The throttle cable has been on longer than the 23 years I have owned the Tartan 34C. The choke was replaced 20 years ago


Guess replacement time may be at hand.
Mine are not on a pedestal, so access is sllghtely more accessible.

I recall the times I replaced steering wheel cables not much either.

Thanks and Happy Holidays to all


Art

[Al Schober]

Unless your time is MUCH less valuable than mine (I'm retired), replace any suspicious cables. And shop for other than price.

[ArtJ]

Does anyone know of sources for choke and throttle cables ?


Thanks


Art

[Dave Neptune]

Cables at a marine store like Tiffanies (West Marine) and choke cable at an auto parts.

I think our host MMI would have a choke cable.

Dave Neptune

[ArtJ]

Just ordered both cables on Moyer $145 w/ shipping


Thanks guys

[joe_db]

Cables at a marine store like Tiffanies (West Marine) and choke cable at an auto parts.

I think our host MMI would have a choke cable.

Dave Neptune

Choke cable are cheap at any auto parts place. If you ever go near salt water, they will be an annual replacement item.
Moyer cables will last a decade

[sastanley]

Choke cable are cheap at any auto parts place. If you ever go near salt water, they will be an annual replacement item.
Moyer cables will last a decade

I can attest to that. I replaced the choke with a Moyer cable about a decade ago, and it is still going strong. The metal brownie pan I used to make the instrument cluster is starting to rust around the cable.

[alcodiesel]

Is your brownie pan Teflon coated? (Great use of brownie pan BTW)

[sastanley]

Bill..no it is not. It is coated in Rustoleum hammered Copper! The pan itself is holding up OK, but I had to drill an extra hole in the pan for the choke cable...I guess i did not quite get it sealed up. This is a pic when this was all new 10 years ago.