Help with old Merc 900

[NewBoatIngGuy1]

hey everyone, I’d like to apologize in advance for the basicness of the question I’m about to ask but have 0 boat knowledge and I bought my first boat ever last summer for the sole purpose of fishing. It’s old and cheap and in rough shape but It does what I need It to do. My question is about the motor though. I have been uneasy about driving far towing the boat due to how low the prop is to the toad while driving. I’ve maxed out the height on the power tilt and It doesn’t go very high at all. I’m hoping someone can tell me something obvious I’m doing wrong or teach me how to manually lift It so I can transport the boat without worry. I’ll attach some pictures of various angles any help would be very much appreciated.

 

[NewBoatIngGuy1]

More photos

 

[NewBoatIngGuy1]

[No message]

 

[racerone]

The motor should lift at least 2 feet off the ground.-------How many buttons on the tilt / trim switch , 2 or 3 ?----If 3 do you know how to operate them ?-----I believe there are serious issues with the wood in the transom of this boat.

 

[NewBoatIngGuy1]

There’s 2 buttons to operate and they operate both up and down but definitely not 2 feet. The boat is no good I know this I never run the motor past half throttle it’s oversized for the boat. Like I said it was a very cheap boat but all I could afford

 

[NewBoatIngGuy1]

[No message]

 

[racerone]

That unit can tilt the motor to a 45 degree angle or higher.-----So the prop would be 2 feet off the ground.------That control may not be original to the motor.-----They used to have a 3 button switch where you had to push 2 buttons to get it to tilt high past the trim range.------Time to investigate.----Perhaps use jumper wires to get the tilt pump motor to run and lift this thing high up.------I can't do this for you and you have to investigate.

 

[NewBoatIngGuy1]

Maybe holding one of the buttons near the bottom of the unit that don’t seem to have a use while I raise the tilt might be the answer? That’s something for me to try anyways thank you for that useful information now I at least know the unit should be capable of doing It

 

[racerone]

I took a closer look at the control box.------I now see the button that says ---TRAILER.------I think it is just a simple case on your part to learn how to operate these buttons.---See what happens when you push up and trailer together.-----Post your results.

 

[Mohawkmtrs]

Put the shift handle in neutral (vertical) as it is now in reverse.

The 2 buttons on the shift handle operate the trim, up and down (as you know).

Press the "trailer" button (tilt) to raise the motor up to about 45 degrees (the 2 feet).

If the trailer button does not raise the motor, time for some troubleshooting.

Take off the bungee cord before raising.

 

[NewBoatIngGuy1]

I was just thinking the trailer button could possibly be the solution to my problem I will give that a try first and hope for the best. Thank you both for your help

 

[jimmbo]

Your motor is a 78, and the control box was the one used in that era. Once the engine is fully tilted up with the Hydraulics you can engage a Lock by tilting the engine a bit more by hand and rotating a Stop that is located up up on the Swivel Bracket. Mercs of this Era certainly Benefit from the use of a Transom Saver