Blew up my outboard, installing throttle cable on replacement

[Buzz Killington]

So back in May I did this: http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...ibly-blown-up-in-driveway-stupid-human-tricks (Cliff's notes: I blew up a great 70hp Merc in my driveway).

I got a clean, and newer, 75 hp Merc finally hooked up today. I am extremely gun shy having blown up my old motor, and so very carefully cranked this one over. With the throttle cable installed fully extended as far as it will go, the motor is still idling too fast.

See pic - the end of the cable just won't reach the lever:

I have searched everywhere and found dozens of basic "what to do when you install" threads, but I can't seem to put my finger on what to do here. If I remove the cable from the little barrel holder on the motor it seems to work fine, but I don't know if I should run it like that.

I appreciate your collective wisdom. 1.5 years of this thing in the garage is driving me crazy! I'm so close to getting it splashed again!

Thanks,

Dave

 

[StingrayMike]

I know nothing about outboards, so bear with me...
what about adjusting the set screw in the upper left corner of the pic?

 

[roscoe]

You need to adjust engine idle with the cable removed.

Then you need to adjust the cable to reach the mounting bolt.

Yes you need to put the cable in the cable retainer (barrel).

The cable is lengthened, by turning the "barrel", moving it toward the bow of the boat.

 

[gm280]

Yes if the barrel can not be lengthened to reach the pivot pin for the throttle, you need a longer cable... So try twisting the barrel out and see if it will adjust that far. JMHO!