Mercontrol cables

[matt167]

I’m thinking I should probably replace the old Mercontrol in my StarCraft. It’s very loose and lifting the fast idle lever actually tugs on the shift cables. I’m not sure if that’s right but it doesn’t seem so to me.. however the cables are the right length and they work. Will those cables fit a Quicksilver control from the mid 80s?

 

[Bondo]

I’m thinking I should probably replace the old Mercontrol in my StarCraft. It’s very loose and lifting the fast idle lever actually tugs on the shift cables. I’m not sure if that’s right but it doesn’t seem so to me.. however the cables are the right length and they work. Will those cables fit a Quicksilver control from the mid 80s?

Ayuh,...... They should,..... Control cables changed abit, some time later than that,.... '90s, maybe the '00s,...

If you've got a high idle Lever, that's probably an ole Outboard control,.....
Every I/O I've seen had a button to push, or pull, or the handle pulled out,....

 

[matt167]

Indeed it is the old white outboard control. My dad has the same boat one year older and it too has the old mercontrol. Only ones I’ve ever seen use them. They are both StarCraft Offshore 18s a 1970 and a 1971

 

[matt167]

Was in the boat earlier so i snapped a picture

 

[matt167]

Finding myself staring at my own pictures… I think I see why StarCraft used the outboard control.. that gunnel wall is fairly low and the control is mounted as far up as it can be. If I use the flush mount controls, and mount it as far up as I can, it’s still going to be a little low. Decisions decisions. I’d have to get it where the bezel falls right below that aluminum strip

 

[kenny nunez]

You better check on the dimension of a concealed side mount first. There might not be enough room between the inner Gunnal and the inner panel.
The 2 parts that wear in the white control box may still be available.

 

[matt167]

Pretty sure there is. But I need to be exact and do it without a template. I can make a template from the donor boats interior panel… but ultimately I want to go boating. I’m sure the parts are available if not a used outboard control is available which I could make work

 

[nola mike]

Fwiw that old control is pretty sweet

 

[matt167]

Fwiw that old control is pretty sweet

Fits the boats era for sure… I think I’m going to hook it up and see what happens. I think some of the problems are stemming from using the longer MC1 cable ends. It never occurred to me that the Alpha cable ends are shorter but I’m pretty sure they are. So it’s now another trip to the parts boat that is sitting in the weeds now

 

[Scott06]

Finding myself staring at my own pictures… I think I see why StarCraft used the outboard control.. that gunnel wall is fairly low and the control is mounted as far up as it can be. If I use the flush mount controls, and mount it as far up as I can, it’s still going to be a little low. Decisions decisions. I’d have to get it where the bezel falls right below that aluminum strip

Doesn’t answer your question but my neighbors 1969 StarCraft had that same control hooked to a 110 hp 4 cyl and I believe MC1 drive

They had bought that boat new and replaced it in 2010. Got a lot of use skiing daily, had a valve job maybe complete overhaul in late 90 s , one stress crack on hull welded up .

 

[matt167]

Doesn’t answer your question but my neighbors 1969 StarCraft had that same control hooked to a 110 hp 4 cyl and I believe MC1 drive

They had bought that boat new and replaced it in 2010. Got a lot of use skiing daily, had a valve job maybe complete overhaul in late 90 s , one stress crack on hull welded up .

Makes sense.. just odd to see it nowdays

 

[matt167]

I have not looked. Does the older mercontrol have a neutral switch? I’ve got the wiring from the parts boat which of course does

 

[matt167]

I have another question relating to this… currently the 1971 control cables are hooked up to the shift linkages on the 1986 alpha one 3.0 ( valve cover mount cables )… the upper shift cable appears too long to work. Are the cable ends different? Also the throttle doesn’t seem to want to work.. I have not tried to do any adjustment yet

 

[matt167]

Will a Mercruiser 215 control work? Found a couple and they are side mount. But I know the 215 itself is complete NLA

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... A forty odd year old control sounds like another potential problem,......
If in pristine condition, ya, it'll work,.....

 

[matt167]

Ayuh,..... A forty odd year old control sounds like another potential problem,......
If in pristine condition, ya, it'll work,.....

There is a NOS one on Ebay right now.. still thinking. I’ve verified the control from the parts boat will not fit in the gunnel.. I haven’t found the parts to fix the mercontrol. Some stuff is available and most isn’t. But it doesn’t click into gear until almost full throttle so I’m not even sure it’ll make a trip on the lake the way it is..

Getting a good used mercontrol is another idea as they are substantially cheaper and common

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... If it's new, Ok,...

 

[matt167]

Question is. Is it worth $350?

 

[Bondo]

Question is. Is it worth $350?

Ayuh,..... Have you priced out a new one from Merc,..?? seastar,..?? aftermarket,..??

 

[matt167]

Ayuh,..... Have you priced out a new one from Merc,..?? seastar,..?? aftermarket,..??

Yeah. I have. Another $150 for new Mercury + Gen 2 cables