What year did Merc start making the gearshift on the tiller for the small outboards?

[el toro]

Hey all you Merc guys,
I'm thinking of getting an older 6, 7.5, or 9.8hp as a kicker motor but want to look for one with the gear shift in the tiller control. Anybody know what year Merc started doing this?
Thanks in advance!

 

[el toro]

Re: What year did Merc start making the tiller shift?

Re: What year did Merc start making the tiller shift?

C'mon, somebody must know the answer to this ...Anybody??

 

[el toro]

Re: What year did Merc start making the gearshift on the tiller for the small outboar

... Anybody???

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: What year did Merc start making the gearshift on the tiller for the small outboar

My '86 6hp is tiller shift... I'll try to figure a guess out for you based on parts lists.... hang tight.


edit...

for the 6hp 2-stroke models:
1963 to 1968 were side shift
1986 through 1998 had the option of either tiller shift or side shift. From then on, it was tiller only.

for the 7.5hp 2-stroke models:
1969 to 1986 - No evidence that they ever had tiller shift

for the 9.8hp 2-stroke models:
1963 to 1985 - No evidence that they ever had tiller shift

for the 9.9hp 2-stroke models:
This is messy, as there is many, many model variation.
Guesstimate., as follows...
1986 through 1998 had the option of either tiller shift or side shift. From then on, it was primarily tiller models. I believe Yamaha had some influence on the design options for a while.

 

[el toro]

Re: What year did Merc start making the gearshift on the tiller for the small outboar

Thanks AMD that's great info! How is your '86 running any complaints? I was just reading an old thread comparing old Mercs to OMC and it seemed OMC was winning. My big motor is an '85 Merc 115hp and works perfect every year!

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: What year did Merc start making the gearshift on the tiller for the small outboar

That '86 6hp is fantastic. I love it. Especially nice is the knob to adjust for idle speed while trolling, and to adjust the motor tilt position for shallow water.

Of course, I like my '84/86 115 hp Mercs as well

Good luck on your search.

I'm not 100% confident in what I posted, but it should be accurate based on reference material I have on hand.