Control Cables

[Kiwi67]

Hi All,
I apologize if this question has been answered elsewhere. Having searched, I couldn’t find an answer.
I’m changing the upper helm shift cable on a 1978 Mainship 34.
Is there a cable supply company who keep a records of cable lengths, fittings, threads, travel etc for various vessels?
Alternately, does someone know the cable lengths for this Mainship?
I would like to have a new cable on hand when I start the job.
Thanks for the help.

 

[syjos]

Cable length is printed on the outer plastic jacket of most cables at both ends.

 

[Comodave]

Cable length is printed on the outer plastic jacket of most cables at both ends.

Yup.

 

[Keysdisease]

The cable is what's typically considered the "universal" 33c or 3300 or whatever by whatever manufacturer.

To answer your question, no. No manufacturer has a database of cable lengths for vessels of that era.

The length is usually heat stamped into the plastic jacket near one or both ends, sometimes in inches, sometimes as the end of a part number. The cable ends are threaded 10-32 and whatever ends are on your old cables can probably be reused.

 

[syjos]

You might want to look at your cable configuration. Some Mainship 34's had the cables from the FB routed to and connected to the lower station controls. And from there to the engine.. Made for a stiffer control action.

Our 1981 34, which we owned in the 80's - 90's, was configured with the cables going from FB to LS.

Most 34 Mainships should have the cables reconfigured by now.

And for a few dollars more, upgrade to the Extreme or other high end cables for frictionless, smooth control actuation. The difference between the standard range of cables is minimal in cost but huge in performance improvement.

 

[Kiwi67]

Thank you everyone. I will have a close look at the cable. I did find a sticker with some numbers, 1975, nothing embossed. I'm assuming that's the new date. And yes, I did see minimal price difference between the basic and the stainless cable. The cables both terminate on the transmission lever.
I deal with similar cables on aircraft. Thinking I would have success, I brought my trusty pressure pot I use specifically to save cables. Mineral Spirits (naptha) usually works like a dream. Lube has never been as good. The cables seem to draw oil, solvent and engine compartment contaminants in via capillary action. A solvent flush cleans, enabling the inner and outer nylon sliding surfaces to return to normal when the solvent evaporates. Lube typically works today, but next week its heavy again with the lube gumming. But in this case solvent didn't work.. I then emptied a spray can of Silicon lube into the pressure pot and ran the whole can through the cable. No joy. I think 47 years of service is spectacular, and it was likely a budget cable from the start!

 

[jleonard]

I had a 78 and I only remember that the cables are long. Do yourself a favor and change all the cables.
I always pull a l small line when I remove the old to pull the new thru. And then I leave a line in the chase for whatever else you want to get thru there next month or next year.
Have fun.

 

[Kiwi67]

You are right. I should replace the throttle also. Freight no cost…..two for price of one. Cable $50-60… that’s like 10 gals of diesel.
Cheap.

 

[syjos]

I connect the new cable to the old cable, remove tie wraps and other attachment from the old cable and use it to pull the new one. I connect the two cables with a wire through the "Y"s on the cable end and wrapped with tape to smooth the connection.

The stiffness and smoothness of the cable keeps it from from snagging on corners, bulkheads and other obstructions.

 

[Kiwi67]

After a bit of work, I found three number stickers on the end of the cable 3 375 (three space 375). ??
Partially removing the cable I got a pretty accurate measurement of 32' end to end, which probably matches the 375 which is inches and equals 31.25'. (I was thinking the Mainship 34 was the cable length for a moment there!!)

Ordered the quality cable. I need to disassemble the starboard cabin interior to access the transition top to bottom. The ends were easy, this transition between decks.......a mission with added cabinets to address.