Throttle Control Replacement

[RGR]

Hello from the great white midwest again! Need your help on my project boat. 1970 Starcraft 20 footer. Just finished outdrive reseal job upper and lower. Worked out great for me since I'm fairly new to the boat life. Thanks to Trent for his advice on seal kits. New job to tackle is control unit. Lot of slop in it and I'm having a hard time trying to fix the thing. Boat yard wanted $500 to fix with a new one, I said I could do it. Question is if I can find a used control unit what do I ask for and how new can I go on a 1970 Starcraft with 120 hp Mercuiser. The current control is a double lever unit attached to the side of the boat. Can't find any kinks in the cable as well. Also would it be wise to replace the cables at the same time. I understand this can be a difficult job, but I'm up to it. Just need you guys to give me a little help. I'll have this thing out this year yet!!!<br /><br />Thanks Rick

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Throttle Control Replacement

Hi Rick.. If your mechanicaly inclined enough to do a re-seal job on your outdrive then you may be able to dis-assemble your control box and repair it... <br /><br />I've seen many a control box insides filled with dried up old grease that would make it seem like they are almost frozen up.. <br /><br />Dis-assemble the controls watching out for any small springs or ball bearings, clean all the old grease out, inspect and clean up the parts, give the case/housing a clean up job and a fresh coat of paint, lube up all the parts and re-assemble it.. <br /><br />Add a pair of new control cables and I'll bet it will work and look good as new... <br /><br />If you really need a new one, have a look through the Iboats MegaMall...<br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...art_id=231730989&current_category=engine part

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Throttle Control Replacement

Yeah you can strip, clean, relube and reassemble the box...then hope it works right again. Or you could save yourself a lot of hassle and just find a good used replacement controls/box on ebay, then concentrate on replacing the cables (if necessary) and enjoying your boat on the water. Go to www.ebay.com, then ebay motors, then Parts/Accessories, then boats/watercrafts. Good used controls, single and double lever, can be had for less than $75, in most cases, quite a bit less than $75. Good luck.

 

[RGR]

Re: Throttle Control Replacement

Thanks guys. One question before I open it up. The controls are not frozen. They are as loose as a goose. Would the grease build cause this as well?<br />Rick

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Throttle Control Replacement

If that control box is a Mercruiser box, thirty years old, double lever and lots of slop...I wouldn't even bother with it. Just buy a used replacement for the boat and tear into the old one (or not) just for jollies. No opinion on what to do it is something other than a Merc box. No experience with those.

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Throttle Control Replacement

Some of the older (well, very older) twin lever boxes used a bare wire end cable which would make changing out control or cables only difficult. <br /><br />I would suggest you watch ebay for outboard control or inboard control and retrofit to a single lever. Also you will find that by coming into the later model single lever controller you'll find they use the pretty much standardized type cables that only cost about $25 each.<br /><br />After all it's probably the cables that are bad anyway.<br /><br />Some controllers at ebay even come with cables. All you have to do is make sure they are the right lenth and the right type ends to connect to your motor/shift.

 

[RGR]

Re: Throttle Control Replacement

Ok guys. Thnks for the advice. I'll get started on it this weekend and also keep an eye out on ebay. I'll let you know how it turns out. Cause I'm ready for spring and water fun.<br />Rick

 

[RGR]

Re: Throttle Control Replacement

Well this has been a bit more difficult then puttong seals in the low end. I have been looking for a new/used box for this thing and can't seem to come up with one. One guy tells me it's an electronic control and another tells me it's an aftermarket control and no one seems to be able to find me a replacement. I need a little mor ehelp here guys. The current control is a merc-controller (2 Levers). Can't I just put on one single lever control box to replace this thing or do I need a 2 lever box?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Throttle Control Replacement

Keep and eye on ebay or ask one of the experts at these sites:<br />www.pfs-ware.com then Johns old Merc page<br />also: www.aomci.org the the Ask A Member board or the Classifieds<br />Can't help much without seeing your control box.