Mercruiser 120HP hard cold start

[rayodunne]

I have a 120HP mercruiser Drive Serial number 0D328356 and Transom Serial number 0C846856 and have a cold start issue.
I did the following work to the engine.
- Carb rebuild as per manual no.10
- Replaced distributor cap, rotor, points and condenser.
- Set points and confirmed dwell at 34 Deg.
- Checked Timing and found it was 9 Deg. at 700rpm. Set to 8 Deg.
- Oil & filter changed before launch.
- New spark plugs.

​This boat has a single lever control which means I have no throttle control without being in gear.
My current start procedure is a single pump to WOT and then crank. It will have to be cranked at least 5 times to start.
Other issues that might be connected:
- WOT is 4100 (I have to confirm prop size/pitch this weekend)
- Slight hesitation when throttling up.
- Boat shakes when between 2500 and 3500 rpm

I just rebuilt this boat including stringers, engine mounts, transom, floor and would like it to run good. Thanks!
Bonus picture showing before and after rebuild waterline.

 

[stonyloam]

you have a throttle only button on the control handle. You push that in, and you can give it throttle without being in gear. Push in the button, pump to WOT , then back to about 1/3 throttle to start. The TO. Button is on the pivot point of the control handle, probably a square button on yours, but maybe round. That sn puts it in the 80s, so it looks like a Commander classic control, probably a square button. Nice looking boat!

 

[rayodunne]

No button like you describe exist on my controls. And I have also completely stripped and rebuilt the controls.

 

[stonyloam]

OK, does the whole handle pull out, or push in? What kind if control is it? There must be some way to uncouple the throttle from the gear shift. I can not believe that it does not have some kind of throttle only function, just have to figure it out.

 

[stonyloam]

OK, found a photo of the Hi-Lex handle, says "pull neutral" which I would take to mean that you pull the whole handle out toward you to go to throttle only function. If that does not work then I suspect that it is not functioning correctly. Just a wild guess here, but I would suspect that when you pull the handle out it disengages a pin from the shift bellcrank and leaves the throttle free to move without shifting.

 

[stonyloam]

You can go to this e bay site and read the instructions in the photo. Just pull it out for TO. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boat-thrott...on-Force-/121644926956?_trksid=p2352135.l4275

 

[rayodunne]

You know you might be on to something. I can't recall ever trying to pull it out towards me. How did you find a picture you could actually read the name?
Anyway thanks for your great info.

 

[stonyloam]

I did a Google search for Mercruiser controls, then looked at images till I found one that looked like yours, found out it was Hi-Lex, and looked up images for Hi-Lex controls. Found some good photos on e-bay. Yeah I don't have much to do tonight LOL! The instructions are in one of the photos in the e bay link above.

 

[rayodunne]

I just read the instructions on that ebay listing as I couldn't read it on my phone last night. Very nice find! I am very sure you have found the solution to my hard start issues! Thank you!

 

[H20Rat]

You know you might be on to something. I can't recall ever trying to pull it out towards me. How did you find a picture you could actually read the name?
Anyway thanks for your great info.

Pull from the base... I've never seen one of those slide well enough that you could pull the top of the handle to the left without snapping it off.

 

[rayodunne]

It is in superb condition so it should work as advertised. The handle is very strong also! I will check it out this weekend.

 

[rayodunne]

A little slow to report back, busy enjoying boating. The handle slides out and works as shown the instructions posted by stonyloam. Thanks again.