Mercontrol for 1976-1977 85 HP mercury problems.

[Curtis W]

I bought a 1983 Hydra sports with a 85 hp model 850 2 cycle engine(I believe it a 1976 or 1977 model engine but can not confirm that). The serial number on the hydraulic tilt transom starts with a 49 and that says it is for a 80 hp. I believe the 80 hp was replaced with an 85 hp at some point. I have the paper work and registration, and know the previous 4 owners so know the boat is not stolen. It has a mercontrol 2 lever with ignition switch, choke switch and neutral safety switch in it.
I have taken merconrol apart and found that the insulation on most of the wiring was gone due to age. The wiring in the cord leading to the box was good so I decided to move the ignition and choke switches to the console panel because they were difficult to get to where the mercontrol was located on boat and soldering the wires back on to that old switch would probably cause switch to go bad so I replaced switches with ones that would mount on the console. .
Problem is the mercontrol is not opening the throttle past fast idle without working it back and forth. I found a lot of wear in the bushings and cam slot. I either need to find a way to repair or replace the whole control box. The shift and throttle cables are good so only a control box would have to be replaced.
Any info on what would replace this obsolete control box would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you
Curtis

 

[haventaclue]

The bushings and cam plate can be replaced and are still readily available. Any mercury control with a harness which has the cobra head will work,that will be pre '79.Or any aftermarket one with the mercury cables if you are mounting the harness and key switch on the console.
It is more than likely the two prongs on the shift lever behind the cam that are worn.