Control cables for engines

Find your throttle and shift cable by engine brand, cable brand or model. Compare the series, connections and lengths in feet and metres from IMNASA, Riviera, Ultraflex, Multiflex, Teleflex and Mercury/Quicksilver.

For a new installation, measure the actual route between the control and the engine and consult the guide for the chosen series. The allowance for outboard steering movement depends on the manufacturer: Dometic / Teleflex specifies 4 feet (1,22 m); Multiflex specifies 3 feet (0,91 m). Round up to the next available length. When replacing a correctly installed cable, use its overall length or marked length without adding this allowance again. The order length is not the separate measurement of the casing.

How to choose and measure the cable

The order length is given in feet with its equivalent in metres. 1 foot = 0,3048 m: 9 feet = 2,7432 m (approx. 2,74 m). The metre values shown are rounded to two decimal places; the commercial size identifying the part reference is the length in feet.

When replacing a Riviera or Ultraflex cable, the manufacturer specifies measuring the complete cable from end to end, including its end fittings, and checking the length marked on the casing. Do not measure only the outer casing section. If the previous installation was correct, do not add the allowance for engine steering movement to the old cable measurement again.

For IMNASA references, the length in feet identifies the nominal order length in the catalogue. The documentation consulted does not provide a separate casing dimension or define the measurement datum for each end fitting: first check the series and length printed on the previous cable. If you only know the casing measurement, confirm the part reference before buying; do not subtract or add a fixed measurement for the end fittings.

For a new installation, measure the actual route between the control and the engine and consult the guide for the chosen series. The allowance for outboard steering movement depends on the manufacturer: Dometic / Teleflex specifies 4 feet (1,22 m); Multiflex specifies 3 feet (0,91 m). Round up to the next available length. When replacing a correctly installed cable, use its overall length or marked length without adding this allowance again. The order length is not the separate measurement of the casing.

Casing length, diameter and travel

The length of the outer casing, its diameter and the working travel are different measurements. For example, a casing diameter of 8,6 mm indicates its outside diameter; a travel of 80 mm indicates the usable movement of the end fitting. Neither of these values is the cable length. The separate casing length is not published for these references and cannot be calculated by subtracting the travel.

Before choosing, compare both end fittings, thread or fixing type, cable series, control, engine, year and required travel. Adapters may be needed. Matching the engine brand and length alone does not guarantee a fit.