Throttle arm slop

455bird

Recruit
Joined
Sep 12, 2024
Messages
1
My 90hp 2 stroke is controlled with a mer control
My throttle has a big dead spot in it. When you go from neutral to FWD and apply the throttle, there’s a big dead spot in it. I tried to adjust the cable on the motor, but does not cure this. I will try to attach a video showing how much of slop I have is there something in the mer control that I can look at?
View attachment IMG_4803.mov
 

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jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
13,446
Keep revving it like that with no Load and you won't have to worry about the Throttle Linkage.

The 1972-1978 Control Box doesn't have linear Lever Motion to Throttle Cable Movement. Most of the Action happens after the Lever is Horizontal.
That flat spot may very well be intention, to insure the Motor is in Gear before the Throttle Cable moves.
 

merc850

Commander
Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
2,046
Take the cowling off and check the movement (not running) of the throttle arm from idle stop to full. At idle (N) the arm should be on the stop - at full the arm should hit the throttle stop. Adjust the barrel in the anchor to pull the arm to idle stop.
Maybe you should grease the box if it has been a while.
 

Mad Dog 2

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 19, 2013
Messages
40
Good description above and good point to setup engine engine not running.

Similar Mercury O/B controls when the handle is pushed forward the first section of the arc pushes the gear into Forward once it is in Fwd, then the handle starts the rest of the arc lifting the carb. throttle arm from idle stop until carb. throttle arm rest on the full wide open stop. It is the same in Reverse except usually you do not get full throttle by design.
You will get excessive play or slop if the cable housing clamps are loose in the control box clamps or the anchor pivot at the engine for the carb. is loose or link linkages going to carbs is loose. Or worn out cables, cables excessively long or routed in curves too sharp. Not unusual problems.

I recently replaced on a 25 Hp Mercury O/B both worn out cables that were excessively long. The cables now move smoothly with very little resistance. I did look in the Mercury service manual for how Mercury wanted the cables adjusted and adjusted to book. It was slightly different then the original setup.
 
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