1974 OMC Stringer Electric Shift - Need 6 Wire Switch P/N

[rdh2059]

My boat has dual OMC 165hp engines with stringer sterndrives. It has separate controls, 2 for the throttles and 2 for shifting. The shift "cables" are actually a switch, which consists of 3 pairs of wire connectors (blue/purple, white/white, green/purple). This switch is connected to the control housing and the actual control arm. Moving the arm moves a central shaft in the switch, which seems to make a connection at one of the 3 different pairs of wires. What I need is the part number of the switch itself, as one of mine has become intermittent, when shifting in reverse. It is definitely the switch, as the VOM (set to ohms) does not reliably show the switch going to near zero ohms at each position...

So what is the part number for that switch and what is that particular switch called?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 1974 OMC Stringer Electric Shift - Need 6 Wire Switch P/N

who makes the controls? If they're OMC, you can look at parts fiche online at shop.evinrude.com - under parts - and then outboard accessories. (OB Accessories) under 1974 they show a variety of OMC control sets (REMOTE CONTROLS) ... there were several options. There are a couple there that were used for Sterndrives (despite being catalogued under OB)
If they're some other control used by the boat builder, look for a brand name on them.

unfortunately, I don't see this unit broken down - the most likely candidate per your description:

 

[rdh2059]

Re: 1974 OMC Stringer Electric Shift - Need 6 Wire Switch P/N

There are two controls, one for the port engine and one for the starboard engine. Each control has 2 handles. One handle is red (throttle). One handle is black (gear shift). The throttle handle is connected to a cable that moves the position of the actual throttle position on the carb. The gear shift handle is connected to a switch that has 3 positions. Each position has a different pair of wires. The cable that connects to that switch contains 6 wires in it, as described in my first message... The controls appear to be Morse controls.

I've been seeing a lot of references to a morse controls/ OMC part number 301585, but cannot get any pic or drawing of it, so I can't tell if this is what I'm looking for. Does anyone know if this is the switch I am looking for?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 1974 OMC Stringer Electric Shift - Need 6 Wire Switch P/N

I think Morse made everything for OMC (shifters and push-pull steering as well) in the 70`s. Maybe posting a pic will help.

might be some numbers or other info on the actual switch too

the one I posted in in my first response, a binnacle type used in 74, the switch is still avail from OMC - $411 each though... probably the same switch in several ones. brp is ruthless when it comes to limited inventor stuff.

might be time for a couple drum switches