71 Mercury 135

[Briantrox]

I am new to this forum and I need some advise. I just dove head first in to a project I know nothing about. I purchased a 71 Caravelle tri hull with a 105 hp Chrysler for 200 bucks, not knowing what I was looking at I later found out the block was cracked. Well needless to say I was frustrated, and found a 135 Mercury on craigs list for $100 so I now own a 135 mercury outboard I know absolutely nothing about. My question is what else am I going to need to switch out? steering ? Linkage? control box? Is there a kit I can buy to switch Chrysler outboard to Mercury outboard? Any reply here would be much appreciated.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 71 Mercury 135

Brian, It is likely nothing from the Crysler controls will fit the Merc. Merc had a merControl box with a warm up lever, and choke button and a ignition keyswitch. This was attached to a quick connect plug on the side of the motor for electrical and two control cables on the other side of the motor. The good news is that these controls are very common.

 

[Briantrox]

Re: 71 Mercury 135

Hi Chris, thanks for the reply.
I am going to buy a book today for the Merc. I think I might be able to wire this motor in to the existing box, but I am going to have to cut the plug from the motor. As far as the throttle linkage and shifter linkage I think they have a merc to a omc or vise versa? do you think this will work? Now the steering I still can?t seem to figure out, is the end linkage removable and replaceable with the merc steering components?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 71 Mercury 135

Brian, The steering should be the easiest to adapt. The control cables may have removeable ends, and you might be able to get merc ends. Make sure you have enough travel for the shift and throttle cables.

That motor has a battery driven CDI ignition. You need to see if the crysler had the same, or you will need to switch ignition switches.

Are yu sure you do not want to get a used unit form a junk yard?

 

[Briantrox]

Re: 71 Mercury 135

Chris, I would love to grab a used controller from a junk yard but I cant find one in the Bakersfield,Ca. area! I have bid on one on e-bay, I don't think I am going to have enough money to be the winner on this one. I think I am going to wait for a while and see if I can?t find one on either e-bay or out of town somewhere, I took a closer look last night and it?s going to be more difficult than I originally anticipated. Thanks for your advice, Chris.