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need advice 1978 20 hp 200

C

crazyhorse357

Member
I Have a 1978 Mecury model 200 20hp outboard, electric start. Right beside the ignition switch is a push button that says choke, well when pressed nothing happens. On the engine there is a choke lever that works, and I was wondering is there some way to make the push button work, what would I need to add etc...
 
Re: need advice

I'm not 100 percent here, but with an electric start 20hp the choke should also be electric, part 31 here http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/parts/481_18.cfm

Since you have a key it would kill the ign when turned off, so its not a kill button. Best thing to do is see if you have a choke solenoid next to the carb and check it for power when you hit the button. Would be easy to tell if I saw it but someone with more IQ can chime in from here. JB
 
Re: need advice

Let me see if I can clarify things a bit, I bought the boat & engine used, when I bought it the guy I got it from showed me how to start the engine, the choke lever is mounted on the engine and to start it one must turn the key switch which is mounted on the transom, it is a oblong devise with a key switch on one end and a button labeled "choke" on the other end. However the button does nothing when depressed, so, in order to choke it I must pull out on the lever mounted on the engine, so I must need a solenoid mounted on the engine in order for the choke to operate from the choke button mounted next to the key switch, my guess is someone converted this engine to electric start and didn't connect the electric choke and so I need to know what I need to complete the conversion.
 
Re: need advice

Yuck, old carbs :)

From what I can tell, the fact that the (knob) and cable "choke" on the motor itself is connected and functioning there never was a choke solenoid hooked up - it appears you can't have both.

Unfortunately, the solenoid and the various parts you would need to replace the manual system are long discontinued.

You might be able to find them from a dealer with some "old stock" laying around.

If you are correct, in that "someone" added the electric start at some point in the motors life, it may well have been after the choke parts were no longer available which is why you still have a manual choke...
 
Re: need advice

Mr Lamb,
I do believe that you have a good grasp on the situation at hand, and the discontinued part was exactly wat I had suspected, so I will continue my search for the parts in various salvage yards, near and far.
Many thanks,
Frank aka crazyhorse357
 
Re: need advice

You might try www.twincityoutboards.com

They have quite the collection of vintage and (somewhat) vintage used parts.

I personally find them a little expensive compared to other recyclers, but they often have what you are after when nobody else does...
 
Re: need advice

Thanks Mr Lamb,
I certainly appreciate your interest in my problems, I believe that's what makes friends.
Thanks again, I am going to give Twin City a try.
Frank
 
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