Re: 1960-61 800E - Choke working?
The choke on a Mercury Direct Reversing outboard is activated by moving the ign switch to the same position as you'd use when starting a Full Gear Shift motor.
In other words, on a Dockbuster the "Start" position of the ign switch runs the choke. The "choke" position is spring-loaded just like the "start" position of a FGS outboard, so the key will spring back to the "ON" position as soon as you let go of the switch.
The starter motor switch is the pushbutton on the bottom side of the remote control lever.
So, in order to start a cold motor, you'd turn the key switch to the "choke" position, advance the control lever a bit then hit the pushbutton.
If the motor is properly tuned, off she'll go!
Note that the choke is only energized with the key in the "choke" position, so you'll need 2 hands to run the ign switch and starter pushbutton. Leave the choke on until the engine starts, then engage choke as required for smooth running until the motor warms.
Here's a link to a wiring diagram for your motor:
http://www.maxrules.com/oldmercs/Wiring/0_1965a/6.pdf
Note that the Light Blue wire supplies power to the choke solenoid, and the wire coming off the solenoid connects to the internal wiring harness at the terminal board on the Stbd side of the motor, same terminal board that provides power to the ign system's ballast resistors.
You should get 12V to ground at the choke wire terminal when the key switch is in the "choke" position. When the choke is energized, it pulls a plunger, which connects to the choke linkage via a braided wire.
HTH..........ed