Engine control cables bound in pedestal, H37.5

[PAC3142]

I'm replacing my engine control cables because the shifter cable broke last fall (When approaching the gas dock. An interesting few minutes!).
I have the cables disconnected at the top of the Edson pedestal, the plastic bracket is loose, and the cables extracted from the interior of the boat, but they seem to be bound at the base of the pedestal. I've removed the steering shaft and brake to get a view of what is going on.
The third photo is a view looking down the pedestal. Forward is to the right, the control line plastic bracket is at the top of the photo and the control lines go from the bracket to behind what seems to be a metal liner at the base of the pedestal. This liner seems to be clamping the control lines, and I can’t pull them up out of the pedestal or remove them from the bottom. The last photo is of the base of an Edson pedestal from below (stolen from the intertubes). There is no liner in this photo.
I’ve ordered a large Phillips head bit so that I can try and unfasten the pedestal base bolts so that I can see what is going on. I suspect removing the bolts will involve lots of penetrating oil and time.
I contacted Edson late Friday.
Meanwhile, any thoughts?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[PAC3142]

Update: I took the pedestal off and found a galvanized steel tube in the base. The compass light cable and engine control cables were between this steel tube and the pedestal tube, and the steel tube had been bent at the top to give the cables room. I’m not sure if this is how the cables were intended to be lead, but other Hunters from this era may have this tube. The steel tube has a reference to an Edson figure.

 

[JoeWhite]

Paul, thank you for sharing, excellent photos to describe. It appears that there is no choice but to rout it that way as a result of the openings at the base of the pedestal. Is it possible to make 2 new holes at the base so that the cables can be routed on the inside of the sleeve? If not , I would cut a nutch in the bent area so that the cables are not pinched. Protect the cable with a rubber sleeve.

 

[jssailem]

I would contact Edson about the tube's purpose and how they engineered the cables to be run.

It looks like the cables were installed first, and then the tube was added. When they noticed the problem, they MacGyvred the tube to fit the installed cables.

 

[PAC3142]

I first thought the same as JSSailem, but now I'm thinking maybe the tube is as intended and is stopping the steering wire from rubbing against the other cables - though it is not the most elegant solution. I'd love to see Edson Fig. 961 - Google was no help!

I have contacted Edson who have been responsive, but I just sent them the latest photos, so no reply yet.

I have the pedestal and base in my basement, so I'll do some dry runs to see if there is any contact without the tube.

 

[PAC3142]

FYI, Matt Duggan from Edson did reply and said he hadn't seen tubes like these before.