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Trade remote throttle/shift for tiller - 1987 25hp Merc

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pete bauer

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Is anyone interested in trading their tiller handle (ideally elec start) for the remote throttle/shift controls I have?

I'm trying to convert my 25hp electric start merc from a remote control to tiller.

If not, anyone know where I could purchase a kit to do this?

Thanks,
Pete
 
Merc has a kit to convert to the electric tiller - Merc part 94185A18, available through any dealer - just be sitting when they tell you the list price is $271.88.

You may want to try Ebay or a recycler. The tiller handle from the post 1986 6, 8, 9.9, 15 and 20 horse models will work for you but I believe that only the 20 and 25 came with the electric tiller (and maybe the "super 15"). If you can get one complete for 50 bucks or so you can pick up a starter switch as an add-on.

I have a handle from a Merc/Mariner (so it's grey) that needs new cables and is missing some parts on the linkage end of things which means it could cost upwards of 150 bucks (the cables alone are 40 bucks and their are a number of parts that "don't get removed when converting from tiller to remote - which is where this came from", but if you can't find anything suitable and are interested we can come to terms (I will let it go cheap or trade for your left-overs after you convert), but you would have to buy/scrounge possibly the gear and the linkage (not sure exactly what I have)...
 
Thanks for the tips and offer. I think I'm probably better off getting a complete one. I don't want to get in over my head when I've never taken on something like this, unless you think locating the needed parts would be real easy?

I've never done this conversion before. Do you know what stuff I'd have to take off my existing motor w/ remote setup to facilitate the conversion?

Looks like some people trade remote for tiller from what I've found, but I don't want to short myself or the receiving party any parts need for it to work.

If I cannot find anyone to trade me, anyone know what controls for a motor like this are worth? It's E-Start and is in extremely good condition.

Thanks again,
Pete
 
If you get the kit from Merc it includes step by step instructions (with pictures) as to what has to change. Most of the linkage (and the linkage cams etc) have to change, very few parts are kept "original" regardless of which way you are converting (tiller to remote or vice versa) and as you suspect, in some cases, some parts are difficult to find except in the kit form.

As to the conversion itself, it can be done in a couple of hours with minimal tools and alot of patience.

Now, as to the value of the parts you are removing (??) - I have picked up remote conversion kits (the guts for the engine end) for in the 40 to 50 buck range (for brand new) off Ebay. A used control box with cables/harness can go for between 50 and 100 bucks (if yours is original to the motor), maybe a little more if the cables are only a year or two old.

So at a quick guess, sight unseen, you could probably recover 2/3's of the cost of an OEM tiller conversion if you find the right buyer for what you are taking off.

You will always get a higher price in the spring (just before the main boating season begins) then now when rigs are getting layed up for the winter - so if you hold off on your used sale you might get a bit of a premium...
 
That's the OPPOSITE way that most people want to go, so you should be able to strike a deal with someone.

Jeff
 
galamb said:
Merc has a kit to convert to the electric tiller - Merc part 94185A18, available through any dealer - just be sitting when they tell you the list price is $271.88.

You may want to try Ebay or a recycler. The tiller handle from the post 1986 6, 8, 9.9, 15 and 20 horse models will work for you but I believe that only the 20 and 25 came with the electric tiller (and maybe the "super 15"). If you can get one complete for 50 bucks or so you can pick up a starter switch as an add-on.

I have a handle from a Merc/Mariner (so it's grey) that needs new cables and is missing some parts on the linkage end of things which means it could cost upwards of 150 bucks (the cables alone are 40 bucks and their are a number of parts that "don't get removed when converting from tiller to remote - which is where this came from", but if you can't find anything suitable and are interested we can come to terms (I will let it go cheap or trade for your left-overs after you convert), but you would have to buy/scrounge possibly the gear and the linkage (not sure exactly what I have)...
Click to expand...


Hello,

I ordered the kit 94185A18 however the tiller handle is grey (looks Mariner color).

Is there a different part number for the kit in black? Also, this looks like it makes it a side of the motor shift (which is fine by me) - but I just want to be sure that's correct.

Thanks again for your help all.

Pete
 
That is the only kit that I still saw listed for the conversion. It is possible that they have been discontinued and it's only the "Mariner" flavour that is still in stock.

There was a time when you could get the black or grey in either twist throttle/shift or twist throttle/side shift as well as "lighting" kits (for powering nav lights or battery charging), and hi-performance ignition conversion kits - none of which are listed anymore (save the number that I gave you).

With a bit of looking/calling to Merc dealers you might find some "old stock" out there, but given Merc hasn't been selling "these" portable models in the US for nearly 10 years now, the "add-on's" are drying up....
 
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