Shifter Problems.

[merc_500]

Hey guys, i'm having alittle trouble with the controls on my '74 Merc 500. <br /><br />Its weird, when its in Neutral its fine, you put it into forward., it goes into gear, but it dosnt start to accelarate until the throttle lever is pushed more than half way down then it catches and starts to accelerate noramlly.<br /><br />Is it something in those 2 adjuster cables on the side of the motor? I've tried adjusting them both but dosnt seem to help? Could somebody possible explain how i would go about setting these up properly? <br /><br />The carbs are cleaned and new impeller and water pump gaskets, incase anybody cares.<br /><br />Thanks again guys.

 

[94Skeet]

Re: Shifter Problems.

Shifter cable should be on left side of engine and is usually the lower adjustment. You'll have to losen a couple springs to get the barrel to relase so that adjustment can be made. Usually by pressing upwards on the plate directly beneath the slide lever.<br /><br />a-Shift control into forward. Check the prop shaft. It should not be able to turn counterclockwise. If it does, adjust the cable barrel closer to the cable end.<br /><br />a-Shift the control into nuetral. The prop shaft now shoult turn freely without drag. If not, adjuct cable barrel away from cable end, Repeat a & b.<br /><br />c-shift remote into reverse as the prop is rotated by hand. The shaft should not be able to turn clockwise. If it dones. adjust cable barrel away from cable end. Repeat a - c.<br /><br />d-Shift to Neutral. Prop should turn freely without drag. If no, adjust cable close to cable guide and repeat a - d

 

[merc_500]

Re: Shifter Problems.

hey, thanks for the help, but it does shift fine. it goes into reverse, forward, and neutral with no problems, the problem i am having is when it goes into gear, the boat does not start to accelerate until the throttle control is pushed halfway down, but the boat is in gear just dosnt start accelerating until the throttle is pushed way down.

 

[sundog]

Re: Shifter Problems.

Merc~ I think its supposed to be like that. every outboard Ive ever driven has a lot of throw in ounce in gear. I was told by a mech once that this was so you have a lot of control at slow speeds, ei. docking (you can make minute ajustments in RPM), as opposed to high speeds, where minute ajustments dont mean much. My 78 115hp does the same.<br /><br />that said, the larger boats I have driven (inboard diesel) had a 'linier' throw...the more you pushed it, the faster it went.

 

[Merc805]

Re: Shifter Problems.

My '79 50 is the same. As long as when the shifter is fully forward (Even pointing to the front floor) and the throttle is wide open, it will function normally.

 

[merc_500]

Re: Shifter Problems.

so i have to put the little throttle wide open as well as the gear shift throttle wide open to obtain maximum speed?<br /><br />weird, our old chrysler outboard was never like that?

 

[Merc805]

Re: Shifter Problems.

No ... You don't use that little throttle for anything other than fast idle in Neutral. You shouldn't be able to activate it in gear. What I mean is that when you push the shifter into gear, the prop is turning but you need to push it another 15-20deg more for the boat to move. The little lever should be locked down.

 

[Stumpys]

Re: Shifter Problems.

Hey guys, mine is the same on my 650 Merc. Once in gear, you have to push the throttle almost 3/4 of the way down before it starts to rev up. This is the first control I have had that does this.<br /><br />Now for the stupid question... Can the cable be stretched that would cause this? I also have to hold down on it to get WOT or it will gradually slow down.

 

[Merc805]

Re: Shifter Problems.

Sounds like the cable needs adjustment. I have seen controllers that go further than horizontal for WOT but none that you have to hold down