1978 evinrude 150

[Daviddiy]

So. I am trying to get my 1978 Terry bass boat running again. It was running when I took it out the first time to the lake, but was porpoiseing really bad.
After the lake, I drained the LU oil and it was chocolate milk. Replaced the LU gaskets. After putting back the LU on the motor, the control box wouldn't shift forward. I disconnected the shift cables and still won't shift forward. Reverse works fine, but as stuck when trying to go forward.

Is it going to be easier to find parts for the existing control box or better to just replace with new one, and if I do replace with new one, does that just require new wiring harness and cables?

 

[Daviddiy]

Oh i forgot to mention the Engine model number is 150849S

 

[James R]

Try looking for a used replacement on Ebay. My go to.

 

[Daviddiy]

That didn't really answer any of my questions. And I can't seem to find that year on ebay. Been looking for months.

 

[GA_Boater]

So it was working OK, you changed the lower unit oil and changed LU gaskets.

Now it isn't shifting into forward and you want to replace or rebuild the remote control.

How about revisiting the work you did on the lower unit first.

 

[racerone]

If you have been looking for months you are looking for the wrong thing in the wrong place.------I am not there to see , hear or feel your motor !----Does the motor shift manually at the motor with cable disconnected.----Did you set the shift rod height , yes or no idea what that is ?----What type of control are you looking for ?----Picture of your old one.----And I agree why have you blamed the control box for the shifting issue ?

 

[Daviddiy]

As mentioned previously, I disconnected the control box from the motor and still will not shift. The LU shifts just fine manually (at least as far as I can tell)

 

[racerone]

Well----We do not know what style of control box is on your boat !-----A control box with big red plug on end of the wire harness is what you need.-----Big red plug was used from 1973 to 1995 models .---Control boxes like that may look different but all work the same.----I step aside now.

 

[Daviddiy]

Well----We do not know what style of control box is on your boat !-----A control box with big red plug on end of the wire harness is what you need.-----Big red plug was used from 1973 to 1995 models .---Control boxes like that may look different but all work the same.----I step aside now.

It is a power

 

[Daviddiy]

Yes, it is power

 

[Daviddiy]

Well----We do not know what style of control box is on your boat !-----A control box with big red plug on end of the wire harness is what you need.-----Big red plug was used from 1973 to 1995 models .---Control boxes like that may look different but all work the same.----I step aside now.

You left me high and dry on another forum with the snide remarks. Why pick up here instead of there?

 

[racerone]

A 1995 control box will work on your engine.----You just have to accept that if you do not provide answers / pictures then you can not expect instant free help.----Your control box is a " Power Pilot " box.----But that means nothing.----A 1995 control box will work and the newer boxes are much better !!!----I can't believe that you have been searching for a control box for months !----There.

 

[Daviddiy]

A 1995 control box will work on your engine.----You just have to accept that if you do not provide answers / pictures then you can not expect instant free help.----Your control box is a " Power Pilot " box.----But that means nothing.----A 1995 control box will work and the newer boxes are much better !!!----I can't believe that you have been searching for a control box for months !----There.

I actually purchased a newer box and wiring harness. Without replacing the lower unit, it will not work. You should believe that I have been looking because I had started the MOD EDIT thread over 2 months ago. Where you left me with "make sure there is an o ring there", with 0 follow up or placement.

 

[racerone]

The newer control boxes ( up to 1995 ) work on your motor----If I tell you there is an o-ring inside a cover then that means there is one.---But when you show doubt I often stop trying to help folks !------Simple as that !!

 

[Daviddiy]

The newer control boxes ( up to 1995 ) work on your motor----If I tell you there is an o-ring inside a cover then that means there is one.---But when you show doubt I often stop trying to help folks !------Simple as that !!

I had made sure it was there, but had been unsure of it's placement

 

[James R]

Ok guys, lets take a step back. No big deal here. If you insist on a power pilot I have one in my shop. This is not the issue. You say that the Shifter cable is disconnected but wont shift into forward but will do everything else. Is the cable still connected to the Control box? Check the cable it may be binding. Have you opened the control box. If you have then you may find that something has come adrift inside. Or one of the pivots is sloppy due to wear and some part is locking up. A careful inspection may reveal the problem. Things do happen when bits get old I can personally testify to that.

 

[oldboat1]

Mod Edit - Competitor removed. The control is purely mechanical -- maybe the shift cable is the wrong length.

Strikes me that I have one of those Power Pilots up on the shelf. May have to pull it down and see if I have a use for it -- or need to build a rig around the controls.

 

[Daviddiy]

Tl
Ok guys, lets take a step back. No big deal here. If you insist on a power pilot I have one in my shop. This is not the issue. You say that the Shifter cable is disconnected but wont shift into forward but will do everything else. Is the cable still connected to the Control box? Check the cable it may be binding. Have you opened the control box. If you have then you may find that something has come adrift inside. Or one of the pivots is sloppy due to wear and some part is locking up. A careful inspection may reveal the problem. Things do happen when bits get old I can personally testify to that.


So I am currently trying to remove the control unit from boat to take a look, but there are 2 bolts that have eluded me on how to remove without wrecking the fiberglass. I CAN however adjust the cables manually while the cables are disconnected. It also shifts into reverse without issue. But, when I try to go forward, it is stuck like I forgot to pull the safety catch on the bottom of the shifter out of neutral.

 

[Daviddiy]

Mod Edit - Competitor removed. The control is purely mechanical -- maybe the shift cable is the wrong length.

Strikes me that I have one of those Power Pilots up on the shelf. May have to pull it down and see if I have a use for it -- or need to build a rig around the controls.

I don't think the cables were wrong before, as the boat worked the first time out with a few caveats. And is all original.

I had tried the new control box with the new cables, no bueno. They don't actuate the same, also might be because I don't know what I'm doing...

 

[racerone]

You need to remove lower cover on control box to get those bolts out!