Logo
FULL SITE MENU

Johnson/Evinrude/OMC Outboard Binnacle Control Help

F

FlukeRI

New member
I just lucked into a 1988 Byliner Trophy 16ft center console which I am very happy with. I was able to trade something of little value for it as the original Force 85hp motor was not running and the previous owner was no longer interested in the boat. I don't know anything about Force motors aside from the bad rep they have and I couldn't be bothered to mess with it so I gave it the heave-ho. That leaves me with trying to decide what to do about powering the boat. It weighs approximately 1275lbs says the spec sheet and is rated for up to a 90hp outboard.

I currently have a PRISTINE Johnson 48spl which I also got a great deal on. Now I know this is a little underpowered for the boat but I am thinking If I can get it hooked up that will tide (pun intended) me over until I finish a couple projects and free up some cash to find something a little larger (70-90hp).

The issue is that the only controls I have for the motor are side mount controls. I actually have two sets of side mount controls one of which has tilt/trim wiring which the 48hp does not have. The console on this boat just simply will not work with a side mount control so I am left trying to find or put together a surface mounted binnacle setup. Ideally in the future I would repower by just dropping on a larger OMC engine and leaving whatever controls I have installed in place.

Can anyone give me some advice on what you would do in this situation? When I look on eBay I find very few OMC binnacle controls. The ones that are there are expensive, not in great shape, and Im not even convinced they are the right part for me.

Options I'm considering:

Buying a binnacle control setup if I can find one somewhere and be assured it is the correct part. This would need to have the ignition wiring as well. (The old Force controls are still in place but I am not sure If they will work or if I can do it without everything being massively janky)

Buying just a binnacle throttle control setup and cannibalizing one of my side mounts for the ignition wiring. If this is possible. I am unsure how the neutral safety switch actually works and if that needs to be wired directly into the throttle control box???

Maybe someone out there has the part I'm looking for? Or maybe the part number? Link to the correct part on EBAY?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I hope you are all safe out there.
 
Last edited:
I was not able to verify whether the controls are Morse or not. No markings from what I could see. Do you mean the ignition or the throttle controls?
 
Without pictures we just do not know !----But a sidemount Johnson control box can have the handle switched so that it mounts on the side of the console.
 
Ok so I have confirmed the throttle controls are Morse. See the attached image if I managed to make it work correctly.

Edit: Having difficulty uploading an image file for some reason. I can go browse and select one but it doesn't show up in my reply when I select "upload file(s)".
 
Last edited:
Ok, so now I need to turn this over to somebody more knowledgeable with Morse/Teleflex/Seastar evolution. See, Morse sold out to Teleflex, which then later became Seastar, and I haven't kept up with the times. marineengine probably can help.

But here is my thinking. Most Morse controls were pretty universal and were adaptable to many motors simply by using the correct kit to connect the cables to the motor. They were also universal at the control end by swapping the attachment points within the control box. Furthermore, there also is a pretty good chance that it already has a Start-In-Neutral installed. If all this pans out, you already have the control you need.

I suppose you are planning to panel-mount the electricals, right? That's pretty straight-forward, depending on the situation.

Your picture might be too large to post ???

Good luck with your project
 
fdrgator said:
Ok, so now I need to turn this over to somebody more knowledgeable with Morse/Teleflex/Seastar evolution. See, Morse sold out to Teleflex, which then later became Seastar, and I haven't kept up with the times. marineengine probably can help.

But here is my thinking. Most Morse controls were pretty universal and were adaptable to many motors simply by using the correct kit to connect the cables to the motor. They were also universal at the control end by swapping the attachment points within the control box. Furthermore, there also is a pretty good chance that it already has a Start-In-Neutral installed. If all this pans out, you already have the control you need.

I suppose you are planning to panel-mount the electricals, right? That's pretty straight-forward, depending on the situation.

Your picture might be too large to post ???

Good luck with your project
Click to expand...

Good call on the image size. Yes I want to keep the ignition wiring panel mounted. I am starting to think I can just use what I have in place if I can come up with some wiring diagrams.

thanks for the help!

54D62E20-4FFE-464E-9EBB-E5DC43EA8EF3.jpeg
A34E7FF7-C026-4261-A988-EE69ECC4FFA9.jpeg
9957861F-DDD9-4F69-BE78-4CD8F06C4AA2.jpeg
 
Ah yes, the good old Morse MT-3. Very popular back in my day. Uses 33-C cables with threaded ends. Might have used the Morse #301729 cable adapter kit to connect it to connect it to the OMC motor, but don't try to take that info to the bank. Get "professional" advice here at marineengine.

BTW,, I was working at Morse when I retired, but a different division.
 
fdrgator said:
Ah yes, the good old Morse MT-3. Very popular back in my day. Uses 33-C cables with threaded ends. Might have used the Morse #301729 cable adapter kit to connect it to connect it to the OMC motor, but don't try to take that info to the bank. Get "professional" advice here at marineengine.

BTW,, I was working at Morse when I retired, but a different division.
Click to expand...

Wow congratulations on your retirement! And thanks for the help.

Im not super familiar with how this site works. Are you suggesting I wait and hope for someone more knowledgeable to respond? Or to contact marineengine.com sales department?
 
Back
Top