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Author Topic:   Throttle linkage slack

sargerator posted 08-19-2002 07:10 PM ET (US)
Have a '79 Montauk with '83 rude and Morse control and teleflex linkage. With the controls mounted I can only get 75% throttle. With controls pulled out of panel I can get 90% throttle. Looked over linkage at both ends , can't see how it can be adjusted ? Is my linkage shot ?
JohnAz posted 08-19-2002 07:31 PM ET (US)
What HP OMC? you have to shorten the length of the outer cable or lengiten the inner cable,,to shorten turn the black knurled knob on the engine end,,,,to lenghten the cable if it has allen screw attachments at the engine end you canb gain 1/4 inch.
The other adjustdments are in the throttle linkage on your engine to carb
sargerator posted 08-20-2002 10:46 AM ET (US)
It's a 70 horse. When I push throttle handle it engages lower unit then I can push about another third the travel of the throttle handle before it starts to move throttle linkage. I'll try adjustment at motor end. It seems as though the outer cable needs to be lengthened to take up slack ??
whalerron posted 08-21-2002 08:16 AM ET (US)
sargerator, pull your throttle cable and check its entire length for signs of rust (the cable will have a slight bulge in it) under the plastic casing and also check for signs that the outer plastic casing is stretching. I have had this exact problem 2 times in my boat and both times it was due to a failed cable. The inner steel casing would rust and fail and then over time, the pushing and pulling of the stainless core would cause the outer plastic casing to stretch. I was getting close to 1 inch of stretch at one time before the plastic casing finally broke and failed completely.
- ron
Salmon Tub posted 08-21-2002 11:42 AM ET (US)
Sargerator, unhook both cables from the engine and have someone work the handle. The way it should work is that at first the shift cable will move and the moment it reaches it's full swing - max in or out, the throttle cable whould start to move. If there is a lot of dead travel between the two stages, then I would say control box is shot, or at least worth taking apart and inspecting, something may have popped out of place. Also, there are often more than one position on universal models for the cables to hook up to. This is because some engines require 3" of travel while some may require 3.5".
sargerator posted 08-21-2002 06:46 PM ET (US)
Thanks for all the info, won't be able to try the things mentioned until Friday, but will let you know what I find out or don't find out. By the way I was told when I bought the boat that the cables about 8 years old so I suspect it might be wore out hoping not though ! Thanks again for the ideas.
Sarge,
Happy Sailing
whalerron posted 08-21-2002 11:14 PM ET (US)
Food for thought...I have been getting about 7 years out of my cables before the inner windings rust out and the outer plastic case starts to go....
sargerator posted 08-26-2002 11:30 AM ET (US)
You were right Ron, pulled the cable it was about to bust. Glad I found out while in the driveway instead of right when I was going thru the mouth of Depoe Bay. That could have been a disaster. Thanks for the suggestions !
Sarge,
Happy Sailing
whalerron posted 08-26-2002 12:08 PM ET (US)
sargerator - you are welcome! I have been there twice. Once the throttle acted like yours and the other time the shift would grind going into gear. Let me guess....the cable was bad about midway in the tunnel? I always wondered why a plastic encase cable would go bad in such a protected place. I guess it's Murphy's law.
sargerator posted 08-26-2002 06:38 PM ET (US)
Ooooooh, well that explains the slight grinding when I shift into gear !!! Your right again, half to 2 thirds down the tunnel from the front. The shift cable didn't appear damaged like the throttle cable, or the damage hasn't become visible yet ! It must be when moisture gets in the cable it seeks the lowest spot and stays. Well it's off to help the boat supply house afford their second home. Whats a new set cost , haven't called anyone yet. Thanks again, Ron.
Sarge,
Happy Sailing

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Author	Topic: Throttle linkage slack
sargerator	posted 08-19-2002 07:10 PM ET (US) Have a '79 Montauk with '83 rude and Morse control and teleflex linkage. With the controls mounted I can only get 75% throttle. With controls pulled out of panel I can get 90% throttle. Looked over linkage at both ends , can't see how it can be adjusted ? Is my linkage shot ?
JohnAz	posted 08-19-2002 07:31 PM ET (US) What HP OMC? you have to shorten the length of the outer cable or lengiten the inner cable,,to shorten turn the black knurled knob on the engine end,,,,to lenghten the cable if it has allen screw attachments at the engine end you canb gain 1/4 inch. The other adjustdments are in the throttle linkage on your engine to carb
sargerator	posted 08-20-2002 10:46 AM ET (US) It's a 70 horse. When I push throttle handle it engages lower unit then I can push about another third the travel of the throttle handle before it starts to move throttle linkage. I'll try adjustment at motor end. It seems as though the outer cable needs to be lengthened to take up slack ??
whalerron	posted 08-21-2002 08:16 AM ET (US) sargerator, pull your throttle cable and check its entire length for signs of rust (the cable will have a slight bulge in it) under the plastic casing and also check for signs that the outer plastic casing is stretching. I have had this exact problem 2 times in my boat and both times it was due to a failed cable. The inner steel casing would rust and fail and then over time, the pushing and pulling of the stainless core would cause the outer plastic casing to stretch. I was getting close to 1 inch of stretch at one time before the plastic casing finally broke and failed completely. - ron
Salmon Tub	posted 08-21-2002 11:42 AM ET (US) Sargerator, unhook both cables from the engine and have someone work the handle. The way it should work is that at first the shift cable will move and the moment it reaches it's full swing - max in or out, the throttle cable whould start to move. If there is a lot of dead travel between the two stages, then I would say control box is shot, or at least worth taking apart and inspecting, something may have popped out of place. Also, there are often more than one position on universal models for the cables to hook up to. This is because some engines require 3" of travel while some may require 3.5".
sargerator	posted 08-21-2002 06:46 PM ET (US) Thanks for all the info, won't be able to try the things mentioned until Friday, but will let you know what I find out or don't find out. By the way I was told when I bought the boat that the cables about 8 years old so I suspect it might be wore out hoping not though ! Thanks again for the ideas. Sarge, Happy Sailing
whalerron	posted 08-21-2002 11:14 PM ET (US) Food for thought...I have been getting about 7 years out of my cables before the inner windings rust out and the outer plastic case starts to go....
sargerator	posted 08-26-2002 11:30 AM ET (US) You were right Ron, pulled the cable it was about to bust. Glad I found out while in the driveway instead of right when I was going thru the mouth of Depoe Bay. That could have been a disaster. Thanks for the suggestions ! Sarge, Happy Sailing
whalerron	posted 08-26-2002 12:08 PM ET (US) sargerator - you are welcome! I have been there twice. Once the throttle acted like yours and the other time the shift would grind going into gear. Let me guess....the cable was bad about midway in the tunnel? I always wondered why a plastic encase cable would go bad in such a protected place. I guess it's Murphy's law.
sargerator	posted 08-26-2002 06:38 PM ET (US) Ooooooh, well that explains the slight grinding when I shift into gear !!! Your right again, half to 2 thirds down the tunnel from the front. The shift cable didn't appear damaged like the throttle cable, or the damage hasn't become visible yet ! It must be when moisture gets in the cable it seeks the lowest spot and stays. Well it's off to help the boat supply house afford their second home. Whats a new set cost , haven't called anyone yet. Thanks again, Ron. Sarge, Happy Sailing