1971 Mercruiser gimbal bellhousing reinstall

[matt167]

I bought this SC Offshore 18 with the gimbal bellhousing off. The guy had just replaced the bearing and bellows when he found a 191 Islander. The housing is ready to be installed with new hinge pins having new bellows and everything
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I have a 2000 Alpha gen 2 assembly on the junker boat to look at for some reference but I don't know exactly what is what with the MC1 and gen 2 differences.

I know that it takes the nail held pins, but I don't even know how they go together. I also have a set of OEM manuals although for the life of me, I cannot locate that procedure in them.

does anyone have pictures from the process? the guy has the shift cable in the housing as well and as I understand it, there are a couple ways to do it.

 

[Bt Doctur]

install the bellow on the gimbal side first, then the transom side. push housing inward until lined up with the holes .Push pin in until flush making sure the nail hole lines up with the hole in the pin. At the rear where the pin exists bend the tip dowm

 

[matt167]

had to look at it, but totally understand.

with the shift cable, do I just feed it through the transom shield and then 'copy' the way it is on the Alpha 2 that I have for reference?

 

[matt167]

Is there a bellows adhesive that I need to use?

 

[Bt Doctur]

bellows adhesive, contact cement, 3M Weatherstrip adhesive, etc

 

[matt167]

Oh ok. I think I have 3m weatherstrip adhesive

 

[matt167]

Another question about this early drive is, the control which is an old style remote 'Mercontrol'. It is pretty sloppy.

Is there a more modern 'remote' box that uses the same cables? I have a red handled version of the same control for my 1964 650 outboard, but the Mercruiser version is gutted of electronics..

 

[Bondo]

Another question about this early drive is, the control which is an old style remote 'Mercontrol'. It is pretty sloppy.

Is there a more modern 'remote' box that uses the same cables?

Ayuh,...... 'bout any contoller, up to, but not includin' the newer Gen. II boxes,.....

Includin' the aftermarket, there's millions of choices,......

 

[matt167]

I'm finding controllers that are built in all over. But none like mine that are side mounted for stern drives. I could use a built in one however, the bolt holes in the side mounted box will show through and someone very recently redid the entire interior.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Yours is a control for an outboard application

 

[achris]

I put a gutted outboard control box on my boat years ago. I prefer that to a panel mount as I can rest the heel of my hand on the box, and that 'stabilizes' any bouncing movement of the boat. Make for finer throttle control. I operate the throttle with thumb and forefinger... When I got the MPI it came with a new GenII controller (Commander 4000 IRCC). That lasted just one trip, hated it! Put the Commander 2000 back on the instant I got home!

The only advantage of a panel mount is it keeps the control cables behind the panel and out of sight, but I will live with visible cables for the nicer control....

Chris....

This is the unit I hated (and still do)



This is like the one I have. Rest the heel of your hand where I've drawn the pink lines....

 

[matt167]

Yours is a control for an outboard application

that is what I thought, although I'm pretty sure my dads Offshore V 18 has the same control, and there is 1 year difference between his and mine

Can I grab another newer outboard control and swap it on? This thing is pretty hard to find neutral. I wouldn't want to burn the shift dogs up or slam a dock ect...

 

[matt167]

I put a gutted outboard control box on my boat years ago. I prefer that to a panel mount as I can rest the heel of my hand on the box, and that 'stabilizes' any bouncing movement of the boat. Make for finer throttle control. I operate the throttle with thumb and forefinger... When I got the MPI it came with a new GenII controller (Commander 4000 IRCC). That lasted just one trip, hated it! Put the Commander 2000 back on the instant I got home!

The only advantage of a panel mount is it keeps the control cables behind the panel and out of sight, but I will live with visible cables for the nicer control....

Chris....

This is the unit I hated (and still do)



This is like the one I have. Rest the heel of your hand where I've drawn the pink lines....

would that style control box have the correct cable attachment for my MC-1 drive?

 

[achris]

would that style control box have the correct cable attachment for my MC-1 drive?

Yes...

 

[matt167]

they are easy enough to find, thanks

 

[matt167]

will one of these work? I think the old Mercontrol used type 33C cables right?

 

[achris]

will one of these work? I think the old Mercontrol used type 33C cables right?

No, the old MerControl used Merc cables. 'Type 33C' are Morse cables, and WILL NOT fit in any Merc control.

Chris.......

 

[matt167]

thanks. Kinda ugly anyway.. do I have to stick with that generation of Quicksilver box?

Lot of the boxes like you pictured look like crap are still going for $100 or better.and in the $200 range they are in ok shape or have included cables or wiring I wouldn't need ect...

Would this OEM control work? I would remove and plug the hole for the key, and wiring harness, but might like to retain the lanyard safety if I could
If I'm reading this right, it uses Gen 1 Merc cables, so I could actually use this basic control.

 

[Bondo]

thanks. Kinda ugly anyway.. do I have to stick with that generation of Quicksilver box?

Lot of the boxes like you pictured look like crap are still going for $100 or better.and in the $200 range they are in ok shape or have included cables or wiring I wouldn't need ect...

Would this OEM control work? I would remove and plug the hole for the key, and wiring harness, but might like to retain the lanyard safety if I could
If I'm reading this right, it uses Gen 1 Merc cables, so I could actually use this basic control.

Ayuh,..... That's for an Outboard motor, not an I/O,....

 

[matt167]

Ayuh,..... That's for an Outboard motor, not an I/O,....

I know, but it has been noted that the controller on my boat is not actually 'for' an I/O either. I do think the old Mercontrol is original to the boat, but for sure designed for an outboard application