Dumb Question

[OldMercsRule]

Hi Guys, I just got my Son's 1981 115 tower o' power out on the lake for the first time.

It has Power Trim, and I bought it two years ago and the guy who helped me take it off, (specifically the controlls) is not around anymore.

All of my older inline6 (s) have distributers, (and a 'cold start lever to increase the RPMs when starting) and this one has the six coils et al and no cold start level on the control.

How does the cold start work on this vintage motor? The controls for this motor has the PT buttons, no choke button, (I think when the key is pushed it may choke it, but we did it manualy).

We were able to start it at an idle and quickly shift into gear to give it some gas to get going. It ran fine after getting going, but the cold start, (or a way to increase RPMs) has me puzzled. There are three wires in the center of the shifter that may have been clipped, (blue green). There is no button in the center to push, (as my 1978 tower has to allow a highter RPM condition).

I don't have a manual (yet: if I need to buy one just for this engine). I hope someone can shed a ray of light on this puzzle for me.

Sorry I'm used to the real old Mercs I guess. JR

 

[Laddies]

Re: Dumb Question

There should be a button is the middle of the shift handle to release the shift mechanism for cold start

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Dumb Question

That is what I thought: There is No Button on this particular control, and the plastic center piece from Mercury is still there, (with out the button in the center). Still a BIG mistery. I guess I need to locate an new set of controls then. Thanks Laddies, JR

 

[Laddies]

Re: Dumb Question

JR, is there a chance that the whole handle pulls out for cold start like some of the older Morse controls

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Dumb Question

JR, is there a chance that the whole handle pulls out for cold start like some of the older Morse controls

Hey Bob, (Laddies), I'm gonna see if I can figure out how to make the current control work (if I can find the actuating mechanism which is currently elluding me maybe pulling it out may work, [I can't find a drawing yet in my search] and figure a way to just move the throttle cable with the shift in neutral) since I take it from yer comments it is all manual (no electronics in the control). Do you know if the choke is actuated by pushing in the key on this vintage control? If I can't do it, I may try to take the wiring off this control, (the wiring is in very good shape) and rig it up to an earlier model, (I have a bunch of em). I also will start looking for a newer 1981 to 1989 inline parts motor with controls or just the controls. Thanks for the help. JR

 

[Tadd_P]

Re: Dumb Question

id look for a different mercontrol dude. Does your motor even have electronic choke? Look just above the carbs. the electronic choke should be mounted to the top of the cowling cover bracket on the front of the motor. Also if the motor is dying after cold start instead of ramming right into gear try one of two things: 1. try to set the idle up a little bit 2. And or start the motor when the motor is just barely in the water in the up position and let it idle for a minute then put it down in the water. good luck

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Dumb Question

id look for a different mercontrol dude. Does your motor even have electronic choke? Look just above the carbs. the electronic choke should be mounted to the top of the cowling cover bracket on the front of the motor. Also if the motor is dying after cold start instead of ramming right into gear try one of two things: 1. try to set the idle up a little bit 2. And or start the motor when the motor is just barely in the water in the up position and let it idle for a minute then put it down in the water. good luck

Hey Tadd, I think I will put together an earlier model control with the 1981 wiring from this control. The choke is the same as my earlier inlines, (an electro magnet actuated choke). I am just glad to learn it is just the throttle cable for cold starts and not an electronic gismo that increases the RPMs on these six coil motors. The motor has a fresh water pump, (my son and I put in) n' runs very good considering it was out of action for two or three years, (so I hate to mess with the idle untill she has a few gallons of fresh fuel with Seafoam run through her). Thanks for the reply. JR

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Dumb Question

Sorry I'm used to the real old Mercs I guess. JR

And NOW you know WHY we LIKE that old non-fangled stuff!!!!

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Dumb Question

And NOW you know WHY we LIKE that old non-fangled stuff!!!!

Yup Scaaty, When I bought that engine, (it came on a boat that I gave to the guy who help me take the motor off), it looked good n' fired up nicely n' had even compression. I'm fairly sure the cold start mechanism must have worked at the time I tested it prior to purchase, ('cause that is part of my test routine on these old girls).

Problem is: he took off the corntrols n' I took off the engine, (it should have been the reverse). He did not finish the boat job so I had to do it myself n' after two years it was a bit of a puzzel with the pile of parts associated with the corntrol. I still will try to pull the handle or mess with it to find the actuating mechanism. That said: I have a 1978 tower o' power with PT corntrol buttons on the handle n' the fancy, (fer 1978 anyway), corntrol box that looks like I can swap the harness from the 1981 and it should work.

I hate to take those darn boxes apart if I don't have too!! Glad it does not have fancy n' cormplicated electronics in the corntrol to increase RPMs. That was me worry when I noticed the potential clipped wires. I will stick to the 1979 n' older girls from now on. I don't like the six coils either, (even though they may be better then the distributer, I just understand the distributer system). JR

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Dumb Question

JR, is there a chance that the whole handle pulls out for cold start like some of the older Morse controls

SPOT ON Bob, (Laddies)!! Thanks fer suggesting the obvious to a dim wit!!! The handle did pull out and the cold start now works!! Makes me feel a little dumb as the initial question suggests. Sure glad I tried yer hint prior to taking things apart. (I hate taking those corntrols apart.) The motor starts up n' idles great now. I now have another problem that I need to ponder with the power trim, but what the heck. I need to go read threads about the trim now. THANK YOU!! JR

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Dumb Question

Ya got to pay attention here Jimbo...my Force is a pull out to..(and took me awhile to figure it too..I have a tendendy to "Einstien" simple things)

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Dumb Question

Not to hijack the thread, but do you guys know where I can get a internal wiring harness for my tower? I found quite a few dry rotted, green copper wires on mine.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Dumb Question

Not to hijack the thread, but do you guys know where I can get a internal wiring harness for my tower? I found quite a few dry rotted, green copper wires on mine.

I may have one, (a good internal harness), on one of the black block parts towers I have, I'm not goin' up to RR island fer over a week, so it will be a bit before I can check. I think some of the parts places online have those that are brand new for sale. I hate to give competitors' lincs here. PM me. JR

Edit: Hey Eric, I sent ya a PM with a source fer a NEW factory harness fer about $150.00 plus a little, but iboats has a (I think it's a Sierra but also a NEW one) fer either $120 or $128 depending on the exact model. You could get the exact factory part number from the place in the PM and figure out which one to get from iboats. Good luck! JR

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Dumb Question

My Merc Guru can get ya P/N..location info...'bought $85 (his price to me..but we're always swapping stuff for cost)