Mercury MerCruiser OEM Inner Shift Cable Core Wire 38399A2 | 59 in. | Early MC-I EZ-Shift Sterndrive

Mercury MerCruiser OEM Inner Shift Cable Core Wire — Part 38399A2

• Part Number: 38399A2
• Brand: Mercury Marine / MerCruiser (Genuine OEM)
• Official Product Type: Sterndrive & Drive Components — Inner Shift Cable Core Wire
• Component: Inner shift cable core wire and anchor assembly — not a complete shift cable assembly
• Length: 59 in. / approximately 149.9 cm
• System: Early MerCruiser sterndrive shift cable system — 73723A1 shift actuating cable assembly
• Application: Early MerCruiser sterndrive shift systems — MC-I, IA, IB, IC, EZ-Shift — generally 1977 and earlier
• OEM Status: Original Mercury part shown as NLA (no longer available) in current Mercury catalog. Sierra 18-2189 is a documented aftermarket replacement.
• UPC: 745061140516
• Weight: approx. 0.4 kg

Inner core wire only — not a complete shift cable assembly: 38399A2 is the 59-inch inner shift cable core wire that installs inside the 73723A1 early shift actuating cable assembly. It is not the complete outer shift cable or a later Alpha-style cable. Early MerCruiser sterndrives used several shift cable designs depending on serial range, bell-housing entry direction, and cable construction — confirm the shift-system diagram for the specific drive model and serial number before ordering.

What It Is

The 38399A2 is the genuine OEM 59-inch inner shift cable core wire for early MerCruiser sterndrive shift systems. Mercury parts diagrams place 38399A2 inside early 73723A1 shift actuating cable assemblies, where it transfers movement from the engine-side shift linkage through the transom to the sterndrive gear selector, working in conjunction with the associated 32-38377 shift cable support tube. The original Mercury part is currently shown as NLA (no longer available) in Mercury’s catalog. Sierra 18-2189 is a documented 59-inch aftermarket replacement for 38399A2, and Sierra 18-2248 is the aftermarket replacement for the complete 73723A1 cable assembly.

Compatible Applications

Confirm the shift-system diagram and cable arrangement for the specific MerCruiser drive model and serial number before ordering. Early MerCruiser drives used several shift cable designs depending on serial range, bell-housing entry direction, and cable configuration.

• MerCruiser 120 HP — 1967–1977
• MerCruiser 140 HP — 1967–1977
• MerCruiser 160 sterndrive — 1967–1969
• MerCruiser 165 sterndrive — 1970–1977
• MerCruiser 888 sterndrive — 1971–1977
• MerCruiser IA / IB / IC — EZ-Shift drives — 1965–1966
• MerCruiser MC-I — early single-prop sterndrive — generally 1977 and earlier where the 73723A1 shift actuating cable assembly and 38399A2 inner core wire are specified

Not sure it fits? Send us your MerCruiser drive or transom assembly serial number before ordering.

Related Parts & Assemblies

38399A2 is used within or alongside the following components. These are sold separately:

• 73723A1 — Early complete shift actuating cable assembly (contains 38399A2)
• 32-38377 — Shift cable support tube (used with 38399A2 in the transom assembly)
• Sierra 18-2189 — Aftermarket 59-inch replacement inner shift cable core (documented replacement for 38399A2)
• Sierra 18-2248 — Aftermarket complete replacement cable assembly (replacement for 73723A1)

Earlier / Related Part Numbers

• 38399A2 — Mercury / MerCruiser OEM inner shift cable core wire (59 in.) — currently NLA
• 32992A1 — Earlier related OEM reference
• 34086A1 — Earlier related OEM reference
• 37611A1 — Earlier related OEM reference
• 73723A1 — Complete early shift actuating cable assembly containing 38399A2
• Sierra 18-2189 — Aftermarket 59-inch inner shift cable replacement for 38399A2

When to Replace

Inspect or replace the inner shift cable core when:

• Shifting becomes stiff or inconsistent in forward, neutral, or reverse
• Excessive free play develops at the shift linkage that cannot be corrected by adjustment
• The inner wire is kinked, frayed, or shows visible corrosion
• The cable binds or catches inside the support tube during travel
• Gear engagement is difficult or incomplete despite correct linkage adjustment
• The original cable has seized from corrosion or water intrusion

Before replacing only the inner core wire, inspect the outer cable housing (73723A1) and support tube (32-38377) for internal damage, corrosion, or contamination. A worn or corroded outer housing can cause the same symptoms as a failed inner wire.

Service Interval

No fixed interval — inspect on condition. Shift cable components on early MerCruiser sterndrives should be inspected whenever shifting becomes stiff, develops free play, or shows incomplete engagement. Because 38399A2 is an NLA original Mercury part, it is particularly important to assess the condition of the entire cable assembly (73723A1 and support tube 32-38377) at the same time — if the outer housing is also worn, replacing the complete assembly via Sierra 18-2248 may be the more practical solution than sourcing only the inner core.

Installation Notes

• Confirm 38399A2 is the correct inner core wire for the specific drive model and serial number from the MerCruiser shift-system diagram before ordering
• Inspect the 73723A1 cable housing and 32-38377 support tube for internal corrosion, damage, or binding before installing a new inner wire — a damaged outer housing will cause the new core to bind or fail prematurely
• Confirm the inner wire moves freely inside the support tube before completing the installation
• Inspect all shift linkage pivots, retainers, and connection points for wear while the cable is removed
• Verify full forward, neutral, and reverse travel with correct detent feel after assembly
• Follow the applicable MerCruiser shift-cable adjustment procedure for the specific drive model — incorrect adjustment causes incomplete clutch engagement and accelerated drive wear

Technical FAQ

Q: Is 38399A2 a complete shift cable or just the inner wire?
38399A2 is the inner shift cable core wire only — 59 inches in length. It is not the complete outer shift cable assembly. The complete assembly is 73723A1. If both the inner core and outer housing are worn or corroded, the complete assembly (or the Sierra 18-2248 aftermarket equivalent) should be replaced rather than only the inner wire.

Q: Is 38399A2 still available from Mercury?
The original Mercury / MerCruiser 38399A2 is shown as NLA (no longer available) in current Mercury catalog diagrams. Sierra 18-2189 is a documented aftermarket replacement for the 59-inch inner shift cable core wire. Sierra 18-2248 is the aftermarket replacement for the complete 73723A1 cable assembly if the full assembly requires replacement.

Q: What early MerCruiser drives use this cable?
38399A2 is associated with early MerCruiser MC-I, IA, IB, IC, and EZ-Shift sterndrive shift systems, generally 1977 and earlier. Specific verified engine applications include the 120 HP and 140 HP (1967–1977), 160 HP (1967–1969), 165 HP (1970–1977), 888 (1971–1977), and IA/IB/IC EZ-Shift (1965–1966). Always confirm by drive serial number and the MerCruiser shift-system diagram.

Q: Can I replace just the inner wire, or do I need the complete cable assembly?
If the outer cable housing (73723A1) and support tube (32-38377) are in good condition and free of internal corrosion or damage, replacing only the inner core wire (38399A2 or Sierra 18-2189) may restore correct shifting. However, if the outer housing is also corroded or damaged, replacing only the inner wire will likely not solve a stiff-shifting problem. Inspect the complete assembly before deciding which parts to order.

Parts Desk Insights

The most important thing to establish with 38399A2 is that it is the inner core wire, not a complete shift cable — customers searching for a shift cable sometimes expect a complete assembly. The second key point is NLA status: the original Mercury part is no longer available through current Mercury catalogs, so Sierra 18-2189 is the practical replacement for the inner core and Sierra 18-2248 covers the complete cable assembly. The most common scenario driving an 38399A2 inquiry is an early MerCruiser restoration or a vintage sterndrive that has developed stiff or incomplete shifting — in that situation, assessing the full cable assembly condition before ordering only the inner wire is the right conversation to have.