1979 80HP Mercury

[racerone]

Prop must be turned when going from neutral to reverse.

 

[jimmbo]

Ok I know which one is which but when I hook them up it’s really hard to move into either gear, when they are unhooked from the motor, they move really nice. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Perhaps the Shift Linkage in the Motor is damaged/binding/needs Lubrication
If the Throttle Cable is not hooked up, does it is shift easier? If so then perhaps you have too much Preload on the Throttle Cable

 

[Grub54891]

Had a similar issue like that. 35 hp, but doing the impeller, then lost gears. Pulled the lower unit three times. No go. Finally figured out the shifter itself came disconnected at the helm. Problem solved.

 

[Kissdude]

Perhaps the Shift Linkage in the Motor is damaged/binding/needs Lubrication
If the Throttle Cable is not hooked up, does it is shift easier? If so then perhaps you have too much Preload on the Throttle Cable

Yes, when the cables are not hooked up it shifts perfectly. Could you maybe explain the preload thing? I don't know what that means. I am able to shift into gears with the cables not hooked up.

 

[Grub54891]

Yes, when the cables are not hooked up it shifts perfectly. Could you maybe explain the preload thing? I don't know what that means. I am able to shift into gears with the cables not hooked up.

Same as mine.

 

[Kissdude]

Had a similar issue like that. 35 hp, but doing the impeller, then lost gears. Pulled the lower unit three times. No go. Finally figured out the shifter itself came disconnected at the helm. Problem solved.

I checked at the helm and its all good, the controls when hooked to motor won't budge at all

 

[Kissdude]

Ok guys, I figured it out and my bolt was way too tight at the shifter( I didn't know how tight it had to be). Now my problem is I can't keep the motor running, I played with I believe that fast idle screw the other day but that's all I touched. can someone please walk me thru setting this up and running? Thanks!

 

[jimmbo]

Yes, when the cables are not hooked up it shifts perfectly. Could you maybe explain the preload thing? I don't know what that means. I am able to shift into gears with the cables not hooked up.

When you adjust/set the Idle speed on these Motors, you it with either cable unhooked, or the Anchor/Adjuster out of its holder. Once Idle Speed is set, you then adjust the Cable Length, so there is a slight bit of Pressure holding the Throttle Linkage against the Idle Stop. Too much Preload can make it difficult to shift in and out of Gear

You can't adjust Preload on the Shift Cable, as there is no Stop

 

[jbcurt00]

Please stop posting duplicate topics about the same subject and refrain from posting to the FAQ page. It's for information only and not intended to ask questions looking for answers, thats what the Mercury outboard subforum is for.

 

[Kissdude]

Hi everyone,
I've almost got the 80 hp set up, just having issues with the idle. So.. I have a quick Silver controller with the lever behind gear selector and with it in the up position, the motor starts and runs pretty good. Motor slows down as I move lever down but almost down the motor stalls. Could someone please tell me what I have to adjust so when lever is off the motor will still run?

 

[Kissdude]

I was wondering if someone could please tell me, my 1979 80 hp Mercury seems to be idling a little high in neutral, how do I turn it down a bit?
Thanks!

 

[jimmbo]

First of all you went and adjusted something, what we don't know. There are several adjustments on the Linkages. Some change Spark Advance, some affect the Sync between the Spark Advance and the Opening of the Carbs, others affect the Position of the Throttle Plates are WOT.

Do you have an actual Mercury Service Manual? If not, get one, and I'm not talking about those Clymer or other 3rd Party Service Books.

 

[Kissdude]

First of all you went and adjusted something, what we don't know. There are several adjustments on the Linkages. Some change Spark Advance, some affect the Sync between the Spark Advance and the Opening of the Carbs, others affect the Position of the Throttle Plates are WOT.

Do you have an actual Mercury Service Manual? If not, get one, and I'm not talking about those Clymer or other 3rd Party Service Books.

So I adjusted the throttle lever screw a bit but also noted the amount and direction of turns I made. I got the motor running better then it was but was asking how I could bring the RPMs down a bit more, seems a touch higher then I like, but what do I know. As for the Actual Mercury Manual?? I found one company online that has a download at a cost of $150.00 USD, which is actually $207.00 Canadian (of which I am). Sorry but I'm not paying that to find out how to adjust the idle and could use that money to pay a shop to do it for me, that's why I'm here to ask you kind people for help!

 

[Kissdude]

Please stop posting duplicate topics about the same subject and refrain from posting to the FAQ page. It's for information only and not intended to ask questions looking for answers, thats what the Mercury outboard subforum is for.

Sorry for your frustrations of my duplicate posts and posting in the wrong spot. I am fairly new here and still learning how to navigate my way around not to mention, when I do make a post I get some stupid bad gateway 503 message and have no idea my post went thru or not....

 

[racerone]

There must be a shop in your area that will help out with these adjustments.----Do not adjust things that you are not sure of.----Your location?

 

[Kissdude]

There must be a shop in your area that will help out with these adjustments.----Do not adjust things that you are not sure of.----Your location?

I am from Lethbridge, Alberta Canada, small city with two shops. I make my post because I don't want to screw anything up. The motor was left to die on a dead boat and with very little knowledge of outboards and youtube, I was able to bring it back to almost factory condition. I'm actually a Journeyman Electrician but have found what I really enjoy doing!

 

[racerone]

4 days driving for me to get there.----But be careful with adjusting things.----Adjusting the idle stop screw and trunnion on the cable is where I would focus.

 

[Kissdude]

4 days driving for me to get there.----But be careful with adjusting things.----Adjusting the idle stop screw and trunnion on the cable is where I would focus.

Thank you! I will focus on that!

 

[jimmbo]

Thank you! I will focus on that!

About a 6 - 7 hr drive for me. It has been 31 yrs since I was in Lethbridge. I only know one person there, she used to be a Cabinet Minister

 

[jimmbo]

So I adjusted the throttle lever screw a bit but also noted the amount and direction of turns I made. I got the motor running better then it was but was asking how I could bring the RPMs down a bit more, seems a touch higher then I like, but what do I know. As for the Actual Mercury Manual?? I found one company online that has a download at a cost of $150.00 USD, which is actually $207.00 Canadian (of which I am). Sorry but I'm not paying that to find out how to adjust the idle and could use that money to pay a shop to do it for me, that's why I'm here to ask you kind people for help!

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