I'm not real familiar with these transmissions and am curious if you can remove all the electric shift components and convert to cables. I'd like to update a restoration project to gafrig shifter and throttles. Assuming it can be done my biggest question is if there is any downfalls to this. Pros and cons.
Boat is a 79 twin bbc

Tips for any input
John

Sure can, very easy! Just have to find the cable mounting linkage that mounts on top on the trans in place of the electric shift setup. No downfalls at all. In fact much more dependable. The electric shift is more practically used in house boats with dual helms. Here is a link to a trans on ebay with the cable shift linkage on it so you can see what it looks like. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercruiser-M...05d063&vxp=mtr
The problem is going to be finding these beings they haven't been made since the '70s.

Prett sure I may have what u need I have 5 of these trannys and only one had electric shift all the rest had cables

there are 2 for sale right now on ebay cheap. 99 cents opening bid. westfield wisconsin. wouldn't be too far from you except for that large puddle named lake michigan...next couple of days when it warms up a little, (i know. a jersey boy complaining about the cold to you is about like a florida boy complaining to me!) i will get a few pics of the shift linkage and cables. they say you REALLY REALLY want to get rid of elec shift. if it dies it ain't so bad. if it works halfway, it blows the tranny. (blows the tranny...sounds dirty.)

well no need in me looking now

Hey tks very much guys! Appreciate the insight and help here. Is there a fair amount of difference in the shifting going to cable. That doesn't bother me the least. I have cables that I had purchased for the BW's I had purchased with the intent of using however am going to stick with the merctrans for now and would like to keep it simple and clean.

So there is no disadvantage at all going to cable correct? i will certainly adjust cables properly....

Tks again everybody.

Good to see you on board still smokin gun!!! I Hope all is well with you. It's been a while.

John.
I will send you a message this evening, I would rather purchase from you if you have and also a couple rebuidable merctrans for spares if you have. I'm not ready to move the engines forward yet.

Ha I saw the trans on eBay. Ya its mighty cold here. Now looking for the bracket mounts in which case I go that route. Also while on subject does anyone know if the flywheels are different tooth size btwn merctrans app and bW's?

Tks john

Tooth number should be the same, 168. However if the flywheels were for BW's using top mount starters then the ring gear will be to the back side of the flywheel. To use with bottom mount starters they will need to be pressed to the front side.

you CAN use bottom mount standard starters on borgs but the starter up high where it is about the easiest thing to get to is a biggie...

Why would you keep the merctrans? Just curious.