StarCraft Starcheif Throttle Control

[peters715]

Bought a 69 StarCraft Starcheif with a Mercruiser 120. Tuned it up, set timing, replaced impellor and outdrive great oil.

Controller has a shifter for forward/back and a separate lever on the outboard side of the unit for choke/throttle (I guess).

The shift lever puts the stern drive in gear, but does it also operate the throttle? What is the purpose of the the separate lever? Is the lever the actual throttle control and the shifter is merely for putting the drive into gear?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... Post a picture of what you've got,....

 

[Scott06]

Pretty sure the separate lever is for reving it up in neutral.

 

[Bondo]

Pretty sure the separate lever is for reving it up in neutral.

Ayuh,..... Seen that on ole Merc outboards,.... but never with an I/O,.....

 

[garbageguy]

Bought a 69 StarCraft Starcheif with a Mercruiser 120. Tuned it up, set timing, replaced impellor and outdrive great oil.

Controller has a shifter for forward/back and a separate lever on the outboard side of the unit for choke/throttle (I guess).

The shift lever puts the stern drive in gear, but does it also operate the throttle? What is the purpose of the the separate lever? Is the lever the actual throttle control and the shifter is merely for putting the drive into gear?

I think you're correct - pictures/1000's of words. Start w/entire boat and then closer into your subject/question

 

[matt167]

Sounds like a mercruiser set up with a mercontrol outboard control box. My ‘71 StarCraft is set up that way. Uncommon but at least StarCraft used that solution

 

[peters715]

Thank you for your responses. I didn't have any pictures until this afternoon.

That said, this is a 1969 Starcraft Starcheif with Mercruiser 120.

In the driveway I can fire it up and warmed up with no problems. I use the black throttle lever for priming the carb and warming up. Once it's warmed up I put the lever back to its default position (down).

So I assume the lever is for startup and RPM control while the drive is in neutral.

However, yesterday I finally got it on the river and the engine was virtually impossible to start and keep running. And then when I moved the shift lever forward, and the travel seems to be quite far (around 10 o'clock), as soon as the drive kicks into gear the engine dies.

And just getting the engine to idle was not possible without having the throttle lever up around 2 o'clock and idle around 1,100. In the drive idle was around 750~.

Anyway, I have included a picture.

 

[matt167]

Indeed that is what I thought. It’s a mercontrol which at least StarCraft did use on mercruiser outdrives for a time. Sounds like it needs a full tune up with new points condensor, carburetor and compression check. It probably needs the shift cables adjusted as well but they do tend to be a sloppy control

 

[peters715]

Compression checked out ok. Changed plugs, fuel filter, set timing and adjusted valves. Electronic ignition so no points or condenser to worry about.

Pulled shift cable to measure for replacement. Action seems rather stiff.

I tempted to pull the carb and throw a rebuild kit into it, but want to save that for last.

Are there aftermarket replacements for this control setup?

 

[matt167]

You can use almost any mercruiser control you want as long as it’s cable operated. An outboard control box could also work as the cables are the same. New boxes require gen 2 cables

 

[Scott06]

Thank you for your responses. I didn't have any pictures until this afternoon.

That said, this is a 1969 Starcraft Starcheif with Mercruiser 120.

In the driveway I can fire it up and warmed up with no problems. I use the black throttle lever for priming the carb and warming up. Once it's warmed up I put the lever back to its default position (down).
That’s what I was speaking of my neighbors had a1969 StarCraft w 2.5/110 hp merc also that had that control

Been a few years but as you describe black lever is either choke or fast idle for warm up

 

[peters715]

Thank you for all the info. I pulled the shift cable from the sheathing and was surprised to find it is a simple stainless steel wire. Once I removed the plastic end connector the cable travel is smooth and free. The plastic connector is bent and thus traveling on the brass sleeve is causing a lot of tension. Ordered a NOS end connector and will see how that improves the action.