Trigger wires frayed

waflyboy

Cadet
Joined
Aug 29, 2012
Messages
24
Hello!

I was in the middle of removing the carbs on my 50HP Mercury 500 (serial 4415435 - 1976 model year I think) when I noticed that 3 of the trigger wires coming off the switch box are corroded and frayed - one even fell apart when I touched it. Given that the assembly is relatively expensive to replace, I'd like to try splicing good wires in... has anybody tried this? Any idea on the wire gage? (I'm pretty new at this!)

Thanks in advance!
 

1nebel0

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 28, 2005
Messages
512
Re: Trigger wires frayed

You are going to need a new trigger...this is very common on the older Merc's..the insulation turns to dust..you can try and tape it but you will find the insulation is gone all the way up to the trigger most likely...
 

waflyboy

Cadet
Joined
Aug 29, 2012
Messages
24
Re: Trigger wires frayed

Thanks for the reply. That is what I was afraid of... ok, I previewed the Seloc manual for replacement of the trigger. There are two things that concern me: One, is it says a special tool is needed to remove the flywheel. Is this "tool" something that I can improvise? If not, if the tool hard to find or unusually expensive? Second, it looks like it it highly recommended (perhaps required) to check the timing and carb sync after replacing this part. According to the book, this requires a high-speed run. Since I don't have a tank, I'd have to do this on the lake. Is this practical/recommended?

Bottom line: As a novice, should I attempt this? Or just pay somebody with the facilities and equipment to do it right?
 

Charlie61

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 27, 2011
Messages
253
Re: Trigger wires frayed

I did have to get a puller for the fly wheel but that was it. I replaced stator and triger and voltage rec on my 1983 115hp inline 6. ps when it came off it fly about four feet so be carefull and have fun
 

ShowMeGuy

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 31, 2012
Messages
560
Re: Trigger wires frayed

Thanks for the reply. That is what I was afraid of... ok, I previewed the Seloc manual for replacement of the trigger. There are two things that concern me: One, is it says a special tool is needed to remove the flywheel. Is this "tool" something that I can improvise? If not, if the tool hard to find or unusually expensive? Second, it looks like it it highly recommended (perhaps required) to check the timing and carb sync after replacing this part. According to the book, this requires a high-speed run. Since I don't have a tank, I'd have to do this on the lake. Is this practical/recommended?

Bottom line: As a novice, should I attempt this? Or just pay somebody with the facilities and equipment to do it right?


I picked up the flywheel removal tool from this guy out on ebay. it Also doubles as a lifting eye if you ever have to remove the power head or motor.... Great quality and fast service..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&vxp=mtr&item=310432301225

Check him out..
 
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