Starting procedure for a 72' Mercury 500 50hp

[Hukeedo]

This may be a dumb question but I am new to Merc's. I switched from a Johnson to a 1972 Mercury 500 Thunderbolt 50 HP. On the controls there is the key ofcourse, the throttle/shift lever and a smaller black lever on the other side. So I know I prime the bulb, have the throttle in neutral but not sure on the smaller lever, should it be all the down and exactly what do i do after the motor starts with it? Also, there is a little black knob on the very front of the controls, what is that? So I guess I kind of need a step by step on how to start this thing.
Thanks for the help and info, I'll catch on to the merc thing with your help on here.

 

[cdn1972]

Re: Starting procedure for a 72' Mercury 500 50hp

The small black lever is a high idle, slip it forward. Push the key in which should set the choke and turn the key. Once running slip the black lever back once running smooth. take off like normal!

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Starting procedure for a 72' Mercury 500 50hp

Most likely you have a MerControl throttle control with that motor, correct?

There are 4 functions on that controller.

1) Gear/throttle lever - longer lever
2) Fast idle lever - short lever
3) Ignition switch
4) Choke button

Fast Idle lever is to be used ONLY in neutral. Doing otherwise will damage the control linkages. To start the motor, place the throttle/gear shift to neutral. Move the fast idle lever to the straight up position. Push AND hold the choke button down while turning the ignition key to start. Be prepared the move the fast idle lever back down a little once the motor starts. Once the motor starts, release the choke button. You will more than likely need to operate the choke button momentarily several times to keep it running until it warms up. Position the fast idle lever to keep the idle speed about 1200 rpm until the motor warms up (1 or 2 minutes). Push the fast idle lever fully down and the motor should idle at about 800 rpm. Operate the gear/throttle lever the same as you would with the JohnnyRudes.

The "knob" on the front of the control box is actually the tach connector. There is a plastic cap over the connector. Just give it a twist and pull it off. You can buy tach harnesses that plug into the controller and run to the dash to connect to the tach.

 

[Hukeedo]

Re: Starting procedure for a 72' Mercury 500 50hp

Yes Moody, I do have the Mercontrol. Thanks guys for all the info, Now I know and it'll be a breeze. Glad hear about the Tach harness, I think i'll get one installed.

 

[superwooter]

Re: Starting procedure for a 72' Mercury 500 50hp

moody,
i've been searching this forum for info on the merControl and each thread i read has a very informative post by you! i'm having issues about the same as all of the other posts referring to the merControl with 2 levers. my main lever doesn't increase the engine speed until i reach 3/4 throttle. also, if i drop the fast-idle lever all the way to low idle, the engine dies. i just got the boat and i know that it has sat up for about a year. i'm sure it has some bad gas that needs to be worked out.
but as far as the main lever not increasing the engine speed, any tips what to do to fix this problem? replace the cables? make some adjustments?
thanks for the help.
wooter