How to manually raise 1974 Mercury 85 with power trim

[tarpaw]

I've had my dad's old 1974 bass boat with an 85 Mercury outboard parked in my driveway for 15+ years. Giving it away next week to someone willing to tow it away, who I believe plans to use the motor for another boat. (Lots of childhood memories fishing with dad in that boat, but it'd probaby be best used as a sunken artificial reef today.) Old wiring is a mess and battery is long dead, so not sure the trim/tilt will even work, but engine is fully down.

Have seen how to release the hydraulic pressure to allow an outboard motor with electric trim/tilt to be raised/lowered manually by loosening a screw, but all the examples I've seen aren't for Mercury outboards.

I see a small screw on right side piston facing upward that's easy to access/turn if I unplug the electrical cable. Is this it? I can provide a picture if that would be helpful (once it stops raining).

Can't really try it and see since trailer is backed up to a fence and the motor won't have room until it's towed forward a few feet. Really want him to be able to tow her to a new home.

Any help would be appreciated.

Rick

 

[racerone]

Look inside the boat.----Look for a knob under the oil reservoir.----Turn the knob and see if motor can be lifted.

 

[tarpaw]

I found another thread with a picture that looks similar to what I recall being present. Is this what you're referring to?

https://forums.iboats.com/attachments/reverse-lock-pt-jpg.98154/

Thanks!

 

[merc850]

That's the way.

 

[tarpaw]

Here's my unit.
Turned the knob all the way to the right and motor didn't seem to be eager to be lifted, but I don't really have room to lift with both hands and my legs until I move the trailer forward a bit.

If she refuses to budge, what's my next best option for getting it lifted?

I've seen folks disconnect the pistons from the lower unit. I haven't attempted to mess with that yet.

Don't currently have a battery to try to jump the "up" terminal, if that's doable, but it's not inconceivable it still works if powered. It did 15+ years ago.

Thanks again for the help.

Rick

 

[Chris1956]

Try lifting with both hands, It can be difficult. If still no lift, loosen the hydraulic lines at the pump. Loosening them at the cylinders risks stripping them, as they strip there very easily.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

I would think you would turn the knob to the left. It might have already been in manual lift mode.

 

[merc850]

I would think you would turn the knob to the left. It might have already been in manual lift mode.

No you turn it to the right to release.

 

[racerone]

We wait and which way is " right " on this one.

 

[jimmbo]

The label on the Pump says
"turn to the right to lift
turn to the left to run"

 

[racerone]

Agreed ,---- turn to the left to allow manual raising.

 

[tarpaw]

Turned the knob all the way to the right and motor didn't seem to be eager to be lifted, but I don't really have room to lift with both hands and my legs until I move the trailer forward a bit.

Been meaning to reply. Sorry for the delay.

After rolling the trailer forward a few feet so I could get behind the motor with room to lift with both arms, she came right up with the know turned to the right using a slow, steady lift.

Of course, I was by myself and once the motor was all the way up I was unable to let go with one hand and flip the bracket to lock it in the "up" position, mostly because I was in too far from the bracket since I had to lift from the very bottom below the prop shaft to start with. I just let it back down and found something long enough to let go with one hand and prop it on while raised. (In my case it was a piece of 4' PVC pipe about 18" long that happened to be in the garage which easily stood on its own and provided a nice stable platform).

Then, with it sitting most of the way up, resting on that pipe, I could move closer to the transom and lift it just a bit more from the side and flip the bracket.

Success! Once on the bracket, I turned the knob all the way back to the left, her new owner got everything secured, and she's now gone to her new home.

Thanks, all!

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Well, someone else's problem now.

Hopefully someone can get some use out of your Dad's old engine. Many good memories Im sure.

 

[ozekinci]

Been meaning to reply. Sorry for the delay.

After rolling the trailer forward a few feet so I could get behind the motor with room to lift with both arms, she came right up with the know turned to the right using a slow, steady lift.

Of course, I was by myself and once the motor was all the way up I was unable to let go with one hand and flip the bracket to lock it in the "up" position, mostly because I was in too far from the bracket since I had to lift from the very bottom below the prop shaft to start with. I just let it back down and found something long enough to let go with one hand and prop it on while raised. (In my case it was a piece of 4' PVC pipe about 18" long that happened to be in the garage which easily stood on its own and provided a nice stable platform).

Then, with it sitting most of the way up, resting on that pipe, I could move closer to the transom and lift it just a bit more from the side and flip the bracket.

Success! Once on the bracket, I turned the knob all the way back to the left, her new owner got everything secured, and she's now gone to her new home.

Thanks, all!

View attachment 374941View attachment 374943

Hi
New to the forum and have the same exact issue only this time I am trying to lower it.
I have decided to work in my father-in-laws’ fanger bass boat with the same exact outboard.
I follow all these steps but it is still in up position. Would you please upload a photo of the lock brackets you are talking about?
Thanks in advance

MODERATOR EDIT: Welcome to the forum. Please review the rule about posting to old threads and feel free to post a new thread about your issue.