control cable replacement

[GaryNW]

Got to replace the cables on my 75' 31'EC. Throttles are real stiff and "notchy". I have read past threads and see some usefull input. At this point I intend to go for FB only. Have e-mail into Sam's to see if they know lengths.
So my questions:
1) Are the green-jacket cables typical of my era and are they the best? I want the smoothest available. What about the teleflex "extreme"? better than the green-jackets?
2) Hatteras made my job unessarily difficult by adding a 3" dia choke point to what could have been a large raceway. Because of this and tight access, my old bod can't do it. Will have to hire someone.
To reduce manhours, I am thinking of best way to pull new cables in. A few threads speak to 10-32 coupling nuts, and I get it. But the stupid question: how easy is it to "spin" that second 20' cable? I was thinking, why not use heat shrink tubing instead? Then oil it up before pull thru. This would also smooth-out any protrusions on the cable ends. What do you think?

Gary

 

[saltshaker]

Do yourself a favor and remove all unused wires. You'll be surprised how much more room you'll end up with

 

[Timeout]

Put the nut on one cable all of the way, then spin the nut back onto the second cable half way. No need to spin the cable. I used the Teleflex extreme and am happy with them. Keep them as loosely tied as possible (don't cable tie them tight to anything) and they will be much smoother. I agree with Jack. I found that I could free up 30% of the space in the chase by removing unused wiring.

 

[GaryNW]

Good point, Timeout-I will see. I am afraid there are no unused on this (stbd) side as Hatteras routed all the instrument wires here. And being Hatteras, they are heavy gauge. PO's and I route everything on port side because ther is room and better access.
Several years ago. I use multitool to cut large removable section on back of console. Now I can at least access the huge FB terminal board. Could not saw all the way to choke point due to structural concerns. If needed, I will use 4" hole saw at the choke point.

Duh, saltshaker! glad I covered myself with "stupid question".

Gary

 

[GaryNW]

oops-got you two mixed up! It is early for me-still working on the coffee.
Gary

 

[SEVEN]

Put the nuts together on the combiner but. Rap it with electrical tape so not to catch an edge. One person pull and the other pushes. I've never had an issue. Hopefully you won't either.

 

[GaryNW]

Thank you all for inputs thus far. Now can anyone tell me if the green-jacket (Panish-type) cables have any length stampings? using mirror and flashlight, I see that one cable has a tag on it still-I think it will be readable. I suppose I could extapolate from just this one.

Have not heard back from Sam's. May call Steve in morning. Is he still there? Helped me on issue several years ago.
thank's
Gary

 

[SEVEN]

Steve is still there. He and Mike are the voice of Sams. Great people to deal with. Did you look under the controls to find the cable number? Sometimes they are near the motors other times the are near the shifters. If you cannot read the numbers take some white shoe polish, white paint or white out and rub it on the cable. The paint will fill in the impressions and makes it easier to read the cable ID numbers.

 

[GaryNW]

Thought some of you would appreciate the follow-up. Sending inquery via Sam's website produced no results, so after 2 days I just phoned them and asked for Steve. I was stunned that in 1 minute I was talking to him.

So , I explained my question and it took some back-and-forth for him to get that this was a 1975 EC with FB option and not a 31' SC. Once settled, he said it was doubtfull he had any info on this old boat. I told him of my green cables and he assured me that my boat was delivered with the std morse red's. About this time he finds a FB kit for my modle and then reads off all the cable lengths!

Still not convinced, I asked about all the Panish greenies in their parts listing. He said they had purchased a bunch.

We closed with reminising that he was at Hatteras when my boat was built (I already knew that).

So Steve has at least 41 yrs solid Hatteras experience. Hope they download his brain before he finally pulls the plug.

Gary