Replacement for engine controls

[skipsmagic]

Today was a good day. After replacing three fuel filters, an oil change and an antifreeze flush along with a good lubrication and cleaning the W13 fired to life for the first time in 13 years. It sounded good and idled nice. I'm going to change the oil again and replace all the engine hoses and then run it for a good 1/2 hour. I tried with no luck to find a diesel mechanic to work on it, all of them seemed to have no interest in taking on the job. This turned about to be a blessing in disguise. I educated myself with some great books and me and that little engine became very well acquainted. It is no longer a big block of intimidating steel, the toughest part was some of the hard to reach stuff, a mirror came in very handy.
I was wondering if anyone has replaced the original Morse two lever controls on their boat? Mine seem to not work very smoothly and there seems to be a lot of play in them. My last boat had a Vetus single control and I thought it was great. I am just not sure it would work with the Westerbeke W13 as the throttle lever is also the shutoff.

[fmueller]

Skip,

Good news you got the old mill going again. Can't help you with knowledge of the proper controls for your motor .. I know nothing about Westerbekes.

I'm putting a single lever Vetus in with the new Beta. I rather liked the old two lever (Edson ?) that came out with the old Yanmar - you could set the throttle just a little more open than idle and then "clutch" between forward and reverse with the shift lever while docking, that was pretty convenient - but the lever mechanism was really worn and had to be replaced.

Fred

[skipsmagic]

Thanks Fred,
I am going to try and tighten up and rebuild the current controls, I am thinking the cables are probably the weak link. I am going to look into the Cablecraft cables sold by Rose Marine. They are pretty impressive from what I have seen.
Hope your refir is going good.

[mgphl52]

For sitting that long (13 years?) the cables probably need lots lots of solvent followed by lots of lubricant at the very least. With some TLC I'll bet you can get it all working smoothly again a save some $$$ for more important items.