Mercontrol

[PaintedStallions]

I have a 1971 StarCraft with a Mercury 850 85 hp. I can’t get the engine to rpm up when I shift into forward. As a matter of fact, the forward lever will literally go to 6 o’clock position with no rpm worth mentioning. It even stalls when I put in forward. Reverse is fine. And the neutral warm up lever doesn’t raise the rpm’s. The rpm’s do raise just a slight bit in forward just a hair above idle speed. Is there something broke in the controller you think? Is there a way to adjust the cables?

 

[Chris1956]

The RPM normally rises in those controllers, as you pass 10 o'clock, CCW. Full throttle is about 7:30-8 O'clock

You can adjust the control cables, at the engine. Set the control to neutral, 12 o'clock, cold start lever down. Remove the clamp on the throttle cable at the engine. Adjust the throttle cable barrel to push the throttle closed, and add a bit of preload. Push the throttle all the way and see if the carbs open all the way. If not the motor may need the throttle stop adjusted.

That is the correct position. If it still doesn't work, something could be broken, although, those MerControls are really robust.

 

[PaintedStallions]

The RPM normally rises in those controllers, as you pass 10 o'clock, CCW. Full throttle is about 7:30-8 O'clock

You can adjust the control cables, at the engine. Set the control to neutral, 12 o'clock, cold start lever down. Remove the clamp on the throttle cable at the engine. Adjust the throttle cable barrel to push the throttle closed, and add a bit of preload. Push the throttle all the way and see if the carbs open all the way. If not the motor may need the throttle stop adjusted.

That is the correct position. If it still doesn't work, something could be broken, although, those MerControls are really robust.

I try to watch the throttle on the motor but I can’t see anything as I’m by my self. What I don’t understand, is that it works perfect in reverse, throttle and all! But hardly anything in forward or even when I open the cold start lever.

 

[Chris1956]

OK, try this. Set throttle handle to neutral, usually 12 o'clock. Look at carb throttle plates. They should be closed, or really close to closed. Your motor will have plastic choke shutters. They should be open, and you should be able to see the brass throttle plates, in each carb.

Push throttle all the way forward. It should be at the 8 o'clock position or thereabouts. Now look at the carb throttle plates. They should be completely open, or thereabouts. If the carbs are not nearly open enough, a cable adjustment should be tried.

The large throttle arm on the port side connects to the throttle cable, and moves the distributor. The distributor has a "finger" that pushes the carb lever, opening the carb.

 

[jimmbo]

Any Idea what yr the Motor is? Is it a 4 or a 6 cylinder?
A serial # will solve this Mystery(what the engine is)