Bracket for Shift Cable

[daveg1]

I bought my boat with a recently rebuilt A4. After correcting a few problems, I got the engine running. Since then I have not had a single problem. The A4 is very reliable.

When the rebuilt A4 was installed, the outer housing of the shift cable was mounted to a thin bulkhead. When shifting, the bulkhead would flex, and has started to crack. I am in the process of fixing the bulkhead and I'm wondering why the shift cable housing is mounted to a bulkhead. I would think the logical mount is a bracket attached to the engine.

What is the usual attachment point for the shift cable housing? Does anyone sell an engine mounted bracket?

Thanks,
Dave Gardner
Ericson 29
"To The Moon"

[Don Moyer]

Dave,

You're 100% correct! The shifting cable retaining bracket should indeed be attached securely to the engine. Unfortunately, each boat builder made their own bracket.

In most cases, angle iron (approximately 1 1/4" by 1/8" thick) was used as the basic building material. One length of angle iron was drilled to accommodate the bolt pattern along one side of the reversing gear cover plate, and then other pieces were welded on as necessary to get the end of the bracket to a location behind the shifting lever to accommodate the cable.

What you'll have to do is remove the cable from the bulkhead and hold it behind the shifting lever in a location that will work, and then take those measurements in to a local machine/fabricating shop to have the bracket built. It will probably be easier for the shop to make the bracket than it will be for you to design the measurements. Be sure to take the little "U" bracket from the bulkhead along, so they can drill holes in the correct location to bolt it to the end of the bracket, so you'll be able to attach the cable.

Regards,

Don