newer controls to older controls?

[stsmith]

I have an OMC control box with T&T, single lever, tach plug, hot horn, tension adj, ign switch/choke and some sort of switch on the side with no clue what it does (not a kill switch). However my boat does not have tilt and trim. This is a side mount control box. I am building and installing a center console. I found an very old duel lever control, foward/reverse and throdle, I would like to put on. My question is can the ign switch/choke, hot horn, be removed from the OMC control box and mounted in a console? What kind of problems will I encounter? The motor is a 1978 55hp Johnson.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: newer controls to older controls?

You will need to build or adapt your wiring harness for a dashboard or console mount for the ignition switch and choke. Also, in those old dual lever OMC control boxes, the shift cable moved forward to put the motor into forward, and the throttle cable moved backwards to seppd up the motor. It is likely the same as your motor, but I would check it.<br /><br />Why not install your current control on the side of your new console? For what it is worth, I hated those dual lever control boxes. If the motor was not running slow enough (due to operator error), it would not come out of gear, and you would crash, or at least curse. Also, frequently you need to increase the engine speed immediately upon putting it into forward, and the dual levers made that a feat of hand coordination!

 

[stsmith]

Re: newer controls to older controls?

My only problem with mounting the control box on the side is the cables sticking out. Unless I am missing the obvious I see no way of hiding them. Any suggestions, plans, or input will be greatly appreciated.<br />Smitty

 

[Chris1956]

Re: newer controls to older controls?

My neighbor has a 17' CC. His controls are mounted vertical. Now his cables are hidden in the console, due to the "surface mount" design of the control. Could you mount the single lever control vertical(on the side of the console) and drill a hole below the control and route the control cables through the console?.

 

[stsmith]

Re: newer controls to older controls?

The way the switches are, that would aim them downward as well. The switches mounted normally are in the rear with the cables so the swithes would be aimed downward as well as the cables being mounted verticaly.<br /><br />Good thought I'll play with the idea for awhile.<br />Smitty