Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

[bucchb]

Does any have (or know) if this is the correct shift /throttle control for 1973, 85hp?

It seems to not have enough travel to engage reverse. I bought a new set of 600A cables. Installed in the control, and set to neutral in detente.

I then set the linkage to neutral. In order to get the stop to line up I needed to crank the cable adjustment all the way to the longest point. Unit shifts into forward but not reverse.

I have another thrad where Sivertip went thru great pains to explain to me the proper way of setting these cables, however it's like these cables or this control is just not right. The shift mecanism doesn't have any excessive play
and can only be installed 1 way.

I am baffled.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

They look to be the correct controls.

Are you adjusting the shift cable at the motor end, or at the helm end?

Not to ask a silly question, but are you sure don't have the shift and throttle cables reversed? The shift cable moves first.

 

[bucchb]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

Thanks.

Yeah, I am trying to adjust at the engine, no adjust on the contril end, best that I can see.

I am adjusting with the control open right now. I am in neutral detent switch on control. I really need an expert on rebuilding one of these controls. All the plates are avail. as aftermarket.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

This is a very simple box. The only thing that wear are shift & throttle cams and the plastic bushings. Do you have foward & neutral?? Has lower unit been off lately??

 

[bucchb]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

It does not look like the lower unit has been off. The motor drives strong, but I only tested in forward.

I noticed the throttle cam, which is made of copper is easily replaceable.
The shift cam is a heart shaped double sided cam on the back of the main mechanism, driven by the handle.

It does appear as though this cam is worn. It is available in aftermarket for like $50. This does not account for the adjustment in neutral however. Why would it be all the way on the adjust screw?

I am trying the control open (just the shift half of the control) to see how it operates.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

try manually shift (without the cable) the motor and see if it will go into reverse. you may be trying to fix the wrong thing.

 

[bucchb]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

I have tested the linkage without controls, and marked the locations for neutral, F, and R on the housing.

With the cable adjusted forward, (longest it can be) to engage in neutral, it seems to run out of travel by about 1/4 -3/8" to fully engage R.

I will post some pics to show you this afternoon.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

In the past someone has been shifting the unit to rev without the engine running and twisted the upper shift shaft.

 

[bucchb]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

You mean in the linkage? When I try to manually move linkage in F and N it is smooth. When I shift to R it feels like some spring tension and then goes in.

Is there a way of inspecting / repairing?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

There is a shaft that goes from under the lever that the rod from where the shift cable attaches that runs down to the lower unit to shift the lower unit, it's only about 1/4" dia. and when someone forces rev it twists the rod. It used to be a common problem.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

Just to add to that...

Its not a good idea to shift the motor into reverse without the motor running, or at least turning the prop shaft by hand while shifting it.

Forcing it into reverse, results in the bent shift rod Laddies refers to. This is most often seen on the older motors.

 

[bucchb]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

I have changed lower units on Evirudes. They have a similar 1/4" shift rod which is connected with a coupling. I think you mean it is bowed and not bent?

If this rod is bent, I would think I could drop the lower unit and straighten it?

Is there an access panel on these Mercs,like Johnson/evinrude or is there another procedure to drop the lower unit?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

the merc shift rod twists, does not go up and down like the old J/E's.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

'Twisted' may be a more appropriate word. Because of this, you would need to move the shift lever further than normal to reach reverse. If it is twisted, the only real remedy is to replace the shift shaft, but I suppose you could try to un-twist it. I've not personally tried that.

Removing the lower unit is just a matter of unbolting it from the mid-section and dropping it down. There is a bolt hiding under the trim tab anode, so you'd need to remove that first. Theres a nut just forward of that that you can see. Lastly, you should be able to see the nut on the forward part of the gearcase that needs to come off as well. Three fasteners in total if I recall.

 

[bucchb]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

Thanks guys. Now I see.

When the lower unit is dropped will I need to dissemble the gear housing? or can it be removed simply?

Would one of you have a diagram?

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

The shaft that MAY be twisted is in the mid-section.... posted a pic below.

On some motors you can pull that shaft out the top without removing the powerhead. Unfortunately on some motors, you can't remove that shaft without removing the powerhead. All depends on the clearance available with the carbs removed. Would be nice to confirm that it is in fact moving too far to reach reverse, before going to all the work to replace it. I'm not sure how to test that.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

Bad news his powerhead must come off

 

[Laddies]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

Good news it's available, bad news is the price it's a dealer only part, you might find a donor engine or try to staighten yours, I have not had good luck with ones that were straighten them seem to twist much easier than the first time heres a picture or what you need.
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...3&bnbr=13&bdesc=BOTTOM+COWL+AND+SHIFT+LINKAGE

 

[bucchb]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

Travel of cable and shift mechanism from neutral is 1 1/2" to F and R, or 3" total. F and R are close (see below), the neutral point is darn close to center of total travel, meaning the shaft may be slightly bent but useable?

With cable off F engages in 1 1/16" and R engages in 1 1/4". In both directions there is 1/4" for R and 3/8" for F more distance for travel.

I just can't get off of suspecting the control. The STEEL shift pulley is moved by a cast (pot metal) heart shaped cam on the back of the round Shift/Throttle mechanism that also has a guide for the small throttle Cam ( a nylon or copper piece) that fits into a half moon guide.

After 35 years I would think this cam wears down? The steel Shift pulley looks like is new with sharp edges. Small movement of the cam translates to large movement of the pulley.

The fact that both of these parts, Mecury sell the Nylon Cams for $3.50 and I can buy an aftermarket Round Shift/Throttle mechanism for about $50.00
It also looks like changing these 2 parts TIGHTENS the throttle. As it stands now I need to travel pretty low to get some Revelutions going.

I think I will order these 2 parts and install. I'll let you know what happens. What scares me is that I know the are many decades of experrience on this forum and no one seems to agree with me. I figure for $55.00 I know these parts are worn, and if it makes the throttle better, oh well.

 

[bucchb]

Re: Is this a '73 85hp control? (with Pic)

Well, I guess is this is kind of "Rube Goldberg" but I was really struggling with doing a ton of work on a 400 dollar motor, soo........

I took a 1" L bracket and flattened it to a bar. Then I drilled the 2 holes to 1/4 ". and drilled a 3rd hole in the middle. One end hole fit the pin compressing the cable, the middle on I attached to the hole in the cable and put a 3/4" long 1/4" flat head with a nut and some Locktight. The bar is in the bottom of the cable. I attached the bar to the Linkage and tightened to remove slack.

It shifts into R and F. The way I have it adjusted it goes into R so that you cannot move prop in Both Clock and counterclock.

F will rotate in Clock but not counter clock direction. IS THIS OK?