1981 Merc 4.5 choke knob removal???

[AEROCOOK]

I'm trying to get the carb off of my 1981 4.5 hp Merc but the choke switch is in the way. The carb cant move forward far enough to clear the studs without first removing the choke switch mechanism. Can anyone tell me how to get the choke switch off without breaking it? There must be a simple trick but it seems to be alluding me.

 

[River Boy]

Re: 1981 Merc 4.5 choke knob removal???

I'm trying to get the carb off of my 1981 4.5 hp Merc but the choke switch is in the way. The carb cant move forward far enough to clear the studs without first removing the choke switch mechanism. Can anyone tell me how to get the choke switch off without breaking it? There must be a simple trick but it seems to be alluding me.

I pull the complete power head when I want to work on the carb on mine. Nine 1/4" bolts or nuts and three wires then the whole power head lifts off. If there's an easy to get the choke assembly out of the way I'd like to know myself. Great little motors by the way. Zack

 

[AEROCOOK]

Re: 1981 Merc 4.5 choke knob removal???

Well I got it off. I went to the parts catalog and the picture was detailed enough to give me a visual of how it fit together. All you do is hold the lever thats on the inside of the cowl stationary while you push in on the knob (it's spring loaded) then twist 45 degrees and pull the knob out and off.
Bad news is that I broke it during reassembly. Worse news is that its no longer available! I'm not trying to bash Merc here, but why is it that I can still get parts for a 40 to 50 year old Johnson but Merc parts seem to vanish after 20 years or less?