Mercury throttle cables

joeyp

Cadet
Joined
Jun 24, 2001
Messages
6
We have a Mercury 50 HP (circa 1963) and the throttle cable and gear cable need to be replaced. We have been to several local dealers and can't seem to find them. Does anyone know where I can get a set of these fast? We need them by Friday July 6. The engine is a four cylinder. Thank you for all the help you have given so far.
 

12Footer

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Mar 25, 2001
Messages
8,217
Re: Mercury throttle cables

No, but I do know you can adapt a newer "Quicksilver" control to the ole "MerControl", cables and all..So the cables are interchangeable. Just ask for a pair of cables for a "Quicksilver" control. <br />To change-out the entire control, you would have to replace the wire harness connector at the motor,and scotchcast it, but it do-able. I just did it today (which is how I found out).
 

joeyp

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Jun 24, 2001
Messages
6
Re: Mercury throttle cables

Thanks for the tip 12 Footer. I let my husband know and he is going to check and see what we can do about getting a set of Quicksilver cables. Now all we need to do is get them and hook them up by Friday night as we leave for vacation 5am Saturday. Here's to a boat that will work for two weeks straight!
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12Footer

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8,217
Re: Mercury throttle cables

They can be a pain...Very time-consuming. But he can probably knock it out in a few nights (after werk).<br />Good luck, And have fun on your vacation. I'm off this and next week, and am enjoying mine. I plan on actually USING my boats quite a bit in the next two weeks, as opposed to fiddling with them.
 

joeyp

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Joined
Jun 24, 2001
Messages
6
Re: Mercury throttle cables

Now we are somewhat desperate. After picking up the new cables we got the wrong ones. They have the wrong ends on them. We are wondering if there is anything we can do with these to modify them. Help! We leave Saturday morning at 5 am. If we can get the cables and bring them up with us that will work. Thanks again for all of your help.
 

12Footer

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Mar 25, 2001
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8,217
Re: Mercury throttle cables

By ends, you mean the motor end,control-end or both?<br />All the MerControls and Quicksilvers use the same control end. You may have to re-use the thread-on rods at the engine end,but the cables are identical. At least the ones I've seen have been. It is an old mercury control, right?
 

joeyp

Cadet
Joined
Jun 24, 2001
Messages
6
Re: Mercury throttle cables

After a lot of running around, my husband finally discovered the issue is the gear box. it's from sometime in the fiftes and they don't make ends that match this thing anymore. $150 later we have a newer box and hope to get this thing resolved TODAY. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. We can't complain too much. We bought a '68 Fabuglass 14' boat with a '63 Mercury, 50 HP for $100. Yes that's one hundred. We have put about another $500 into it and two straight weeks of labor. Not bad, considering the motor purrs like a kitten. I just hope we can get it all done. Thanks for all of your help.
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12Footer

Fleet Admiral
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Mar 25, 2001
Messages
8,217
Re: Mercury throttle cables

Whew!! Now THAT is what I call a good deal.<br />My Wife's nephew just bought a '96 Cobra bass boat with a 50HP force, on trailer for 600 bukz! And I thot I got a deal on this big outboard motor for 1K bukz! He got the whole rig for less.<br />But glad to hear he got it ready for your vacation,Joeyp. I hope you both enjoy it,and get some quality R&R
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