Today, while doing a start switch transplant on the control from my late eighty's 70 hp, I was reminded of the last time I was inside a control box. Not my favorite task, but I'm glad I did because it helped me dodge a bullet. There is a design conflict between the neutral safety switch and the throttle friction adjustment lever. Over time, wear on the friction interface occurs and as the adjustment knob is turned in to compensate and maintain friction, eventually the rod part of the adjuster hits the neutral safety switch. At this point friction adjustment is no longer effective and the throttle will slip. Naturally, we tend to turn that adjust knob, which now pushes hard against the neutral safety switch breaking one of the attachment screw tabs. At that point the switch rotates enough to stick the throttle in neutral. Really stuck, no easy workaround. This happened to us on a friend's boat 7-8 years ago, on the ocean, and again to me about 3 years back. At that time I figured out the problem, but took the easy way out and just swapped on another control I had.
Today, swapping out that broken start switch, I thought to check, and sure enough, it was out of adjustment and pushing against the switch. At least I dodged the bullet and it didn't happen on the water.
Now, Start switch installed, (A seemingly simple task that tends to work me over more than it should), I need to take a hard look and McGuyver a way to get some friction back. Oh yeah, and take apart another old control to replace the detent roller that grasshoppered off to some dusty corner of the shop. I had my back turned when I heard that click. Instantly recognizing the sound, No idea of where it went, I didn't even bother to look. I've lost two detent rollers in the last decade, now only one left, in a nearly froze up box someone gave me. Good junk.... Parts is parts, to quote Kodi Bass.
Anyway, Thought I'd throw that bit of info out there. Maybe save someone the fun of breaking down twenty miles out. Probably common knowledge in some circles though....Cheers, JE/doryman
Today, swapping out that broken start switch, I thought to check, and sure enough, it was out of adjustment and pushing against the switch. At least I dodged the bullet and it didn't happen on the water.
Now, Start switch installed, (A seemingly simple task that tends to work me over more than it should), I need to take a hard look and McGuyver a way to get some friction back. Oh yeah, and take apart another old control to replace the detent roller that grasshoppered off to some dusty corner of the shop. I had my back turned when I heard that click. Instantly recognizing the sound, No idea of where it went, I didn't even bother to look. I've lost two detent rollers in the last decade, now only one left, in a nearly froze up box someone gave me. Good junk.... Parts is parts, to quote Kodi Bass.
Anyway, Thought I'd throw that bit of info out there. Maybe save someone the fun of breaking down twenty miles out. Probably common knowledge in some circles though....Cheers, JE/doryman