Installation Tips for Throttle, Shift, Engine Controls and Cables

Marine control cable routing paths should be chosen to minimize bends, kinks and obstructions. Cable routing with a few casual bends will result in better feel at the control than one with many sharp bends.

1. Try to keep radius bends to 8" or more.
2. Avoid tight or sharp bends in the cable routing.
3. Take care not to kink the jacket (casing) or core wire.
4. Handle cable with care during installation/maintenance.
5. Keep cable away from excessive heat and moisture.(Do not route near exhaust manifolds or in a bilge, for example)
6. Don't lubricate core wire (moving wire inside the casing)
7. Make sure cable moves freely before connecting to control and engine.
8. Keep cable ends dirt and corrosion free.
9. Lubricate pivot points and sliding parts of the cable with a good quality water-resistant grease.

When connecting the throttle control cable to the engine and control head, ensure that cable travel and feel are properly adjusted.

1. Adjust cable position so that throttle lever movement allows the full throttle range, from idle to full speed.
2. Adjustment can be done at the engine end of OEM type cables and at either end of "universal" type cables.
3. Adjust lever stops in control head (if so equipped) to limit lever movement to slightly less than cable travel. This adjustment will help prevent cable damage if the lever is moved beyond the cable's range of travel.
4. Adjust cable or lever brake (if so equipped) so that lever is easy to move, but does not creep due to vibration.
5. In twin station applications, do not engage cable or lever brake at upper station control. This will create additional drag and make the control difficult to operate.
6. In all cases, ensure that the cable end is aligned properly with the control lever arm (control end) and throttle arm (engine end). A control cable must swivel somewhat throughout its range of movement; ensure that the cable anchor points can swivel freely throughout its range of movement.

When connecting the shift control cable to the engine and control head, ensure that cable travel and feel are properly adjusted:

1. Adjust cable position so that shift lever movement allows the full shift range, from neutral to forward and reverse, with full engagement of forward and neutral. Ensure that control detents (if so equipped) are synchronized with transmission detents, so that lever action matches the appropriate shift arm movement at the transmission. This can be done at the engine end or OEM type cables and a either end of the "universal" type cables.
2. Adjust lever stops in control (if so equipped) to limit lever movement to slightly less than cable travel. This adjustment will help prevent cable damage if the lever is moved beyond the cable's range of travel.
3. Don't use a cable brake or lever brake on the shift cable. The cable must have some free movement to allow the transmission's shift detents to "center" themselves.
4. In twin station applications, do not engage the control's detents at upper station control. This will make it difficult to properly engage forward, neutral and reverse.
5. In all cases, ensure that the cable and is aligned properly with the control lever arm (control end) and shift arm (engine end). A control cable must swivel somewhat throughout its range of movement; ensure that the cable anchor points can swivel freely throughout its range of movement.