1981 omc 3.8 sterndrive gear selection cable

[Codyv]

I have a 1981 omc 3.8 sterndrive that i just bought for fairly cheap and the guy started working on it and he removed the gear selection cable and its just hanging out there and now im trying to.figure out where it goes. Ive never owned or worked on a boat before but i am a car mechanic so i didnt think it would be to difficult but i cant figure out where this thing goes at all

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard

there are two shift cables on your OMC stringer. the lower one that goes between the lower unit and the detent box on the flywheel housing and the cable that goes between the controls binnacle and the detent box.

the main one is easy, and about $40 cable. the lower one is a $500 cable

which cable are you referring to?

 

[Codyv]

The main one that comes from the shifter . I dont see a second cable anywhere either. Maybe im missing parts

 

[Scott Danforth]

the cable that comes from the shifter should go to the shift detent box with the two shift interupt switches

the end of the shift cable is the red block in the pic

 

[Codyv]

Is that on the top or side? I dont believe i have anything on there that looks like that

 

[Scott Danforth]

technically the item is known as the OMC shift converter. the lower shift cable is under the cover with the limit switches

 

[Scott Danforth]

Is that on the top or side? I dont believe i have anything on there that looks like that

that is on the back of the motor sitting on top of the intermediate housing.

you better hope you have it, or your new to you boat wont ever be running.

 

[Codyv]

Behind the motor looking from the top where on a car it would be a bell housing there is just 2 long studs and thats it nothing else sitting on top ill try uploading a picture

 

[Codyv]

i tried uploading but it says the files are too big

 

[Scott Danforth]

in the rules and guidelines forum http://forums.iboats.com/forum/forum-rules-and-guidelines

is the tutorial on uploading pictures http://forums.iboats.com/forum/forum-rules-and-guidelines/9938375-photo-upload-tutorial

 

[Codyv]

Is it possible that it was switches to electric shift? There are 2 wires that come through where the lower cable is supposed to go into the lower half of the drive on the back

 

[Scott Danforth]

here is a used one on EBay, http://www.ebay.com/itm/OMC-Stringe...-Converter-box-909277-1978-1985-/162413694706

however if I was you, I would be talking to the prior owner and asking WTF....

especially if the lower cable isnt there.

here is an image showing where it should be. this is from a quick google search. you can see it behind the distributor

 

[Codyv]

The lower cable is not there for sure just 2 wires going into the housing where the lower cable should be it looks as if the shift converter hasnt been there in years but the guy claims he drove the boat this spring and ive now been unable to reach him

 

[southkogs]

Sure sounds like you're talking about shift wires for an electric shift.

Try posting photos of the out drive again.

 

[Scott Danforth]

If its an 81, its not an electric shift, it would be the last year of the hydro-mechanical shift stringers.