steering cable

I posted here last fall with some questions about stering cable length on my 1984 V-20 with a 1988 140 Johnson. After a lot of fussing around I got to changing the cable and found in talking to Tele-Flex that the length of the cable is stamped on the side of the jacket. Sure enough - 17' is the correct cable for this boat. Installed a new anti-feed back system and can't wait to try it next week. Also after talking to some freinds with similar cable problems the feeling was a new cable shouldn't be put into an old tilt tube so I changed that also. On the trailer the steering feels the best it ever has. If anybody need the details on how to for this mod let me know.

[msbhammer]

Post pics. of teh work you did. ;)

[tsubaki]

Which NFB was that ? The Safe-T II or the 4.2 ?

The original system was 3.0 turns lock to lock so I didn't see any reason to go to the 4.2. Also the 3.0 system is good for motors to 150HP. I don't think the V-20 is a hard boat to steer so why would you need the greater ratio? I went to the anti-feedback system because I thought it might make chasing the birds in Raritan Bay a little easier and it would make it easier for my young sons to keep a heading. We'll see. Sorry I didn't take any pictures while doing this. There are two tricky issues, one is getting the new cable into the tilt tube without removing the motor and the other is that the new system comes with a verticval helm bracket instaed of the 20 degree tilt required. You can get by by modifying the original bracket or maybe Tele-Flex makes the right bracket, I don't know.

[macojoe]

Great Job! I am sure you will notice the difference right away!!

You can get a 20* bevel for extra cost, I just used my old bracket and it worked fine ;)

I have never changed the tube when putting new steering, just cleaned well. But it doesn't hurt to put new!!

[tsubaki]

Well good, the material I have says the 3.0 is for up to V-4 and the 4.2 can handle the V-6. Now I need to get out and check the box in the store about correct applications before making a decision on replacing mine.

[Bygracealone]

Gem,

Glad everything worked out for you. I'm going on round 3 with my application. I got the 4.2 since I have a v6 200HP... Anyway, the first time I must have measured wrong, but then I called up the place I bought the unit from and told them I needed just a bit longer. The guy had a 16 foot cable readily available and he got me thinking that it would probably fit--nope! So, I sent the second cable back today and I'm going with 18 feet just to be safe. As I stated somewhere else, the people at Boatstore USA have been very easy to work with.

Anyway, I can't wait to be done with my install!