Shift cable getting harder to shift into drive?
 

I noticed my shifter is getting harder and harder to shift into drive but not reverse. I have an 89 223 but I'm not sure who makes the controls? I followed the shifter cable back to the motor and it's not binding anywhere. I removed the cable from the motor and when pulling the stick back to reverse it goes fairly easy, but pushing forward into drive is a lot tougher. (Again this is with the cable removed from the motor but still attached to the controls) My next step will be to remove cable from the actual shift lever and see if it's the shift lever that's dragging or something. Hopefully it's as simple as greasing up the shift lever! Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this or has any advice?

You've already troubleshot the problem perfectly. It's the cable, probably seized or kinked. New cables are available and not too expensive. There should be a length in inches printed on the cable. If not, just take it out and measure it.

If your issue is with the shifter to horn cable, you can get away for $50-75, email Formula customer service for the correct length. I just ordered all 4 from Diamond Performance for my 353.

Here's one source:

http://www.rexmar.com/page85.html

What the heck is a shifter to horn cable????

www.boatfix.com has great prices on those cables. I always use and recommend Teleflex TFXtreme cables. They cost a bit more but they move as smooth as silk and have virtually no play.

shifter blows the horn and the horn button shifts his drives.
trick stuff.:drink:

I think that's a modification done only to Mike's boat. That's so everyone is aware and ready whenever he puts it in gear. Kind of like a back-up beeper.:evilb:

Yea...That's it!

Dave

mine did the same thing the other day 223ls

FWIW the cable is 16ft and it appears any "33c" cable will work. I measured rather than removing the cable and added a foot to be safe. I came out with 18' with my measurement and it still worked fine, just looped around in the engine compartment a little more. The swap was easy, I taped the new cable to the old and fed it back through to the controls so it was routed the same as before. Went easy as pie, which is uncommon for my projects!