Going To Replace Shift Shaft Seals on MC-1 Today...

[Tacoma_Dave]

Hey all,

So per the suggestions here in this forum, I'm going to replace the old shift shaft seal on my MC-1 with the newer design. The screw on the lever is seized and I saw a youtube where the guy states to just whack the lever w/ a cold chisel and split it. Since I have the new lever (bought the cable kit as well as the seal) I suppose that is really the only way to go unless someone has a better suggestion...thoughts?
Shift Shaft Seal Replacement

 

[kenny nunez]

As Chris said that is the only way to remove it.

 

[Tacoma_Dave]

As Chris said that is the only way to remove it.

Yeah, it was pretty dang easy as well. Just a couple of whacks and it split clean in 2. Got the old seal out as well quite easily. What's proving problematic is the shift cable. I broke it loose, but as I turn it counterclockwise, the whole cable is turning. I'm thinking having someone climb in the boat and hold it to prevent it from turning perhaps?

 

[Tacoma_Dave]

OK, I could use some advice here. I've got the stern end of the shift cable broken loose, but when I try to loosen it further, I feel the cable starting to bind. I believe I found the engine side end of the cable, so I disconnected it from the plate. I still feel the cable binding when I try to loosen the stern end fitting...

 

[achris]

.... What's proving problematic is the shift cable. I broke it loose, but as I turn it counterclockwise, the whole cable is turning. I'm thinking having someone climb in the boat and hold it to prevent it from turning perhaps?

Nope, it's one piece, it needs to turn to remove it.

OK, I could use some advice here. I've got the stern end of the shift cable broken loose, but when I try to loosen it further, I feel the cable starting to bind. I believe I found the engine side end of the cable, so I disconnected it from the plate. I still feel the cable binding when I try to loosen the stern end fitting...

Remove the cable from the shift plate, loosen the 2 grubscrews in the end of the plastic bit and pull the plastic bit off. Then loosen the jam nut and unscrew the end of the cable (this bit)...

Now pull the inner core out (oh crap, I see you cut it off. Shouldn't have done that. The inner should be in one piece because you need it as your guide for the new cable).
Now have someone help you by turning the cable as you unscrew it at the bell housing. DO NOT PULL THE CABLE OUT YET!!
Before you pull the outer cable out, push the inner in from the shift plate end... But, you cut the cable (this is why we say, ask before you do anything).
Ok, you might be able to push the new inner into the old outer. If you can't, you're going to have to very securely connect a pull line to the old outer before you pull it out. If you don't attach a line, or run the old inner, then you won't have anything to guide the new outer in the correct path, and that's super critical.
Now, if you have the old inner (or new inner) in the old outer FROM THE SHIFT PLATE END, start pulling the outer out (make sure you secure the guide wire/cord so you don't pull it out at the same time).
Once the old outer is out, you can clean up all the places you need to clean, and then slide the new outer onto your guide and run it in....

When you start threading the new outer in the bell housing, you're going to need someone in the boat to turn the new outer until it's tight in the bell housing...

Chris.....

 

[Tacoma_Dave]

Nope, it's one piece, it needs to turn to remove it.

Remove the cable from the shift plate, loosen the 2 grubscrews in the end of the plastic bit and pull the plastic bit off. Then loosen the jam nut and unscrew the end of the cable (this bit)...
View attachment 350808
Now pull the inner core out (oh crap, I see you cut it off. Shouldn't have done that. The inner should be in one piece because you need it as your guide for the new cable).
Now have someone help you by turning the cable as you unscrew it at the bell housing. DO NOT PULL THE CABLE OUT YET!!
Before you pull the outer cable out, push the inner in from the shift plate end... But, you cut the cable (this is why we say, ask before you do anything).
Ok, you might be able to push the new inner into the old outer. If you can't, you're going to have to very securely connect a pull line to the old outer before you pull it out. If you don't attach a line, or run the old inner, then you won't have anything to guide the new outer in the correct path, and that's super critical.
Now, if you have the old inner (or new inner) in the old outer FROM THE SHIFT PLATE END, start pulling the outer out (make sure you secure the guide wire/cord so you don't pull it out at the same time).
Once the old outer is out, you can clean up all the places you need to clean, and then slide the new outer onto your guide and run it in....

When you start threading the new outer in the bell housing, you're going to need someone in the boat to turn the new outer until it's tight in the bell housing...

Chris.....

Well, I guess I screwed that one up, but thanks for the workaround Chris. I'll give it a go once the cable gets here. Thanks again.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

1/2" drive 9/16" deep socket was able to tighten the new cable in place without the need for any special tools. You can also use a 9/16" spark plug socket which has a hex nut on the ratchet end to put another socket onto to tighten it up/ remove the old one. That cable looked shot, I think it's a good idea your doing it now. Achris has a good video to adjust the new cable once you have it installed. Look in the "Adults Only" sticky at the beginning of the forum under Mercruiser videos.