Thank you for your detailed explanation. I will proceed with replacement now on my 1997 Hunter 376. I am also replacing the shifter with a new aftermarket assembly. It appears I will have to install the new one 90 degrees off from vertical to horizontal because of my pedestal design and the new shifter array is not square, but rectangular. I found that the cables need to be 21' for the throttle and 24' for shifting, after I drug two cables (18' and 21') through the pedestle base, into the stbd stern lazerette, over the fuel tank and then down past the rudder post enclosure and then under the bed through a chase that only has one cut out, through the dripless area and into the rear of the engine compartment.
Respectfully, I find the Lewmar single lever control to be an excellent piece of engineering, and has never failed.
Once every 2 years I run a slight bit of WD 40 down both cables
if anyone is interested, I have a brand new Lewmar unit which I purchased as a second throttle location on my 49. Never been out of the packaging.
It was the only project I decided to not go ahead with. Just didn’t make sense.
I have the full stainless front plate as well.
I will save you some money on this, if interested.
Please PM me