Mercury Quicksilver Control Install: Shift & Throttle Cable Adjustments

A video on how to properly install a set of Quicksilver Mercury Outboard controls. Butterflies need to be completely closed while in neutral and wide open at wide open throttle. Fairly easy job. Adjusting the cables properly take a little bit of patience. Questions please ask! And as always, thank you for your support and watching!!!!

[@DBbyDesign]

Just swapped cables today. Your video made it much easier. Thanks for posting it.

[@larryleisuresuit9584]

This is CRAZY man! I have been struggling like a nut with this kind of thing for months. I have never seen the inside of a controller and I didn't know what all these parts I was trying to find really were, I was just given a list to fill of what I needed to convert a 2003 4 stroke tiller handled 25HP Mercury bigfoot into a motor that can be used on a pontoon boat. on an extreme budget. LOL Seriously though, I am a broke mfer and all my stuff is weird and old. the motor is my pride and joy LOL shines like a diamond. doing me no good though. so this motor you have here is totally different than mine But just watching you do this I can see the exact parts I have been ordering matching to parts in your motor linkage. I mean they are different for your motor but I can see OH! that's the linkage rod that sob at the boat store wanted 79 dollars for! Yikes. The throttle cam, the retainer 1 retainer 2 and so on. I had zero clue where any of that stuff goes. also never seen inside a control " the shifter" yo just saved me a whole bunch of dough I think. I didn't get it, whys this damned box 200 bucks or more ? now I see, when I search it says TRIM and elect start. 8 pin or 14 pin blah blah blah. well I just realized from your video here my motor does not need pins from the shifter and I don't have or need Tilt/trim because it's a pontoon boat. LOL my motor does not have that. so I do have a 8 pin corded electric start remote ignition. I thought that when searching they meant I had to have a cord for the shifter, but that is not so if I already have a remote ignition! and also since there is no tilt or trim package on this motor I don't need any of those wires either. so just a shifter that can accept cables that can connect to the 2003 mercury 25HP 4 stroke. and my steering cables to hook from the wheel to the steering brackets that I don't have yet LOL and I am fishing with a hibachi on deck! you know what is crazy is the prices of all this stuff. how is it that a cheap made shift controller in a chunk of aluminum with crap for bearings and nothing real technical costing more than a lawnmower? more than a entire clutch kit with fly wheel and throwout bearing for my honda? a months Groceries? It's insane what these prices are. and you know what else is real funny ? Two motors the exact same model that came from factory One with a tiller handle and one with remote controls book for the same dough. how are they pulling this scam off ? super irritating! Grrrr. Fingers crossed now, looking like nothings going to stop me now. I might not be able to get her in the water this year but next spring is going to be awesome. Thanks man! great Video! oh your sounds off real bad, I probably woke everyone in the house up a few times turning it up and down to hear ya. LOL

[@MerCSonL6]

I'll work on my sound. It's hard depending on where the camera is positioned.

[@carriep7812]

Long video, but I learned a lot. Thanks for sharing!

[@storytimewithunclekumaran5004]

i need to do these adjustments .. been waiting to do this.

[@dusterz10]

Thanks, I needed this

[@dand4564]

Very helpful. Subscribed

[@corsaazul]

What a pain this cables...Thanks for the video, so useful. I've the same command Quicksilver 2000 with a Mercury 75hp 1994 (3 cil) and I need to dissasembly. Wish me luck LOL.

[@MerCSonL6]

Good luck my friend! Son

[@brockga1]

That 1 mounting screw in the center cable cover, won't pull out. The other 2 did, is there something holding from comeing out ?

[@1luxuryliner440]

What happened in video at 2303 time when it did not open then video went back to shifter did you go more on barrel to make sure the butterfly was fully open I really need some help on the 35 hp adjustment you are one of the best I know at this and a great teacher

[@DylanSmith-rz7zl]

Great video

[@stephenvaldez328]

Great Instruction Video. AND It Would Be VERY Helpful To Explain How You Shifted The Gear Back BACK into Neutral Below The Carbs At The Shift Link? That's Very Important To Know? Please. Thanks

[@joway97]

1978 Mercury 900 90 hp Finally got is started. Thanks to your videos. Rpm gauge not registering. Please advise.

[@MerCSonL6]

Not sure what your model is but the sender wire needs to be connected to 1 of the alternating currents at the rectifier. Son

[@robertpiazza169]

You skipped over the part that showed how you resolved the full close of plates to 7/8 close / full close of plates to full open. What did you do to resolve that? 23:06...

[@MerCSonL6]

Tightened up the barrels to pull the throttle arm further forward.

[@CP-oe3kt]

Totally agree, video was showing how to adjust the cables correctly. He couldn't get it and then he totally skipped the part where he figured it out. Great video to see how things go together but disappointing when you skip the most important part.

[@blakemccorkindale4398]

@@MerCSonL6 So to clarify i should pull the slack out of the cable or push the slack if when aligning it all. Right now my flys are not opening all the way up.

[@giloquendo]

Great video that part that locks the throttle cable can it be ordered mine is missing

[@garyfunderburk1281]

I have a 850 thunderbolt are used to choke it to get it out of the hole, now, it only bogs, I haven’t checked the carburetors I have illuminated fuel leaks, what do you think?

[@hawkeyemarine]

Those are such a pain!

[@brandonberg9063]

what type of key does that ignition switch take?

[@thomasinnis2370]

It takes a special kind of hack to start a bolt or machine screw with a gun i don't care how loose your clutch is.

[@mudholemutilators9065]

How about a under the hood shot of wiring 😔 I got a boat with a 100 that looks exactly the same I need some help there is wires cut in spots

[@brockga1]

Bottom mount screw, on cable cover won't come out, do i need to hit it with a hammer, or is something holding it ?

[@MerCSonL6]

I would let it soak in an oil based penatrating spray like deep creep or freeze off. Son

[@anthonyperotti151]

Where do you buy the wiring converter (I believe an 8 pin plug to older wiring setup?) so you can plug into the newer throttle shifter? I’m new to this and my current MerControl inner box wiring is fubar…and I was going to replace with a new one, but all the new throttle boxes seem to have the 8pin male connecter to go to the female from the motor. I have a 1970 650 4cyl 65hp.

[@MerCSonL6]

I have videos on how to convert. You need a female 8 pin connector. You have to hardwire the only style onto the new.

[@MerCSonL6]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXjGfGutnrmMprM

[@brockwesterman6213]

Cool boat, I am working on a 75 mercury 850 and need to replace the throttle and control cables. I can’t find them anywhere. Do I need to buy a whole new controller? Any advice on where to find pets? Thanks

[@MerCSonL6]

New Throttle/Shift Cable for Mercury Mariner 16 Ft. Gen I CC17916 a.co/d/8Gdizwk

[@MerCSonL6]

I'm pretty sure you need Gen I. Son

[@morgancure1604]

when u install the lower unit (in neutral) how can you make sure the shift shaft (under power head) is in the neutral position?..i have new controls on the way and i think this is important info to have before i install the lower unit

[@MerCSonL6]

Manually put it in neutral before removing the lower. The prop spins freely when in N. Son

[@morgancure1604]

@@MerCSonL6 i did that..but the shaft that shifts the lower unit was stiff almost froze up..so i heated it with a torch and sprayed it with pb blaster...working it back and forth to loosen it up...the problem is that i dont know what the position it should be in so i can install the lower unit...i wish it was that easy...the new controls will be here today (they were ruined)..so i'll watch ur video to connect the cables to it...the important thing i need to know is the position of that shaft so i can put the lower back on

[@MerCSonL6]

@@morgancure1604 neutral typically lines up with exhaust Baffle bolt on the bottom left.

[@morgancure1604]

@@MerCSonL6 thanks that was it...although i think its 1 notch off..its spins free with no clicking but its hard to shift out of reverse and wants to stick...is that even possible?

[@brunomasse48]

you have to remove the small plate before!

[@josuevaldes31]

Hi I have a question when I shift forward my doesn't do anything but if I shift all the way up both moves in the opposite side how can I tell which cable is which?

[@MerCSonL6]

When you shift your throttle box, the first cable to move is your shift cable. Second is your throttle. Son

[@josuevaldes31]

@@MerCSonL6 thanks a lot the person i bought my boat from had a mess and half in the control box they had both cables connected to the throttle so every time I tried shifting both cables moved at the same time i have zero experience with outboard engines and it was frustrating thanks a lot for sharing with us your knowledge i appreciated it!!!

[@smokintorch4252]

Do you know if you can still buy parts to rebuild these old mercontrol boxes? If so where can I get them?

[@MerCSonL6]

Nla or marineengine.com is worth a try. Son

[@todds5956]

Mine acts like it’s flipped or something. All the way forward is actually neutral. Can’t figure it out

[@MerCSonL6]

The lower shift cam is off. Remove lower and manually put onto neutral. Then move the shifter at the powerhead to the middle then reinstall lower.

[@leomatos1980]

Hi MercSon Hey yesterday I was in the lake with my 80Hp mercury and when I was full throttle I heard a beep Sound and I stop the engine. I turned back again and hit again and did it again..😳 what can it be?

[@MerCSonL6]

What year is the 80? 1970? Inlines don't have "alarms." Lmk

[@leomatos1980]

1989

[@MerCSonL6]

@@leomatos1980 last year of the inlines was 1988. Is it 3 beeps or a solid beep? What model is it?

[@jamrspancurak938]

Where do you get coils for these old motors i got 200 20hp trying to find electric parts for that day

[@MerCSonL6]

Marineengine.com

[@joel2876]

Good morning sir, thank you for the video. One question, what controller would you recommend from Generation 1 throttle cables? base on the video, I can tell that that is what you have. I recently acquired a 1982 40 horsepower Mercury and the controller that came with it it's very old and it delays to start pulling the throttle cable and as a result I cannot get it to Full Throttle. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@MerCSonL6]

Get the controls I have. They are my favorite. I have 1 listed on ebay if you are so inclined. Lmk. Son

[@dylanowens5036]

Is there anyway to fix this delay or play that Joel is talking about above without buying a new throttle control?

[@wesleybryan238]

I have just acquired a new to me Thunderbolt 800 that has the old style control. Now it looks similar to your and your advising that we can change to the current video type control. Will it still apply to my application. Also what is your ebay address. If I am going to be diving into this relm of engines I would love a constant place to get spares. My engine has lost its serial number evidently over the years so I don't know, where do you suggest to look for spares that has international shipping? I live in Zambia 🇿🇲 not many parts available around here. Thanks

[@richardcompton9492]

Can you show how to align the control shaft inside the box

[@MerCSonL6]

The front end connects by a pin/screw and the barrel goes into both sides of of the circular fitting. Hope this helps. Son

[@dakotajames5274]

I have a 1983 mercury 115 and when i go to put it into reverse it just grinds and the noise gets louder if i give it throttle the shift cable appears to be engaging it all the way back when the levers in reverse. Any idea what could be causing my problem? Reverse worked fine and then one day i went to load my boat back up and it suddenly would not go in reverse.

[@MerCSonL6]

Sounds like a bad gear or clutch dog. Will need to disassemble to be certain. Son

[@tjsqrd84]

I have 1971 650 that goes in reverse neutral but wont shift into forward. It has the mercontrol. I would like to update to a much newer throttle control possible any recommendations? Also any idea why it wont shift into drive, its like its stuck but the rpms will increase. Just wont go.

[@MerCSonL6]

Definitely stick mercury/quicksilver controls. Try disconnecting the shift cable and manually shift it into forward. The shift cable retainer needs to go forward towards the front of the engine. Let me know. Son

[@tojadmka]

@@MerCSonL6 are you saying there is no better replacement (for the money) than the merc/quick to replace the same exact shifter that you're showing here?

[@MerCSonL6]

@@tojadmka I have had a lot issues with knock offs. They are cheaper but you get what you pay for. Son

[@mikeanderson7206]

I like the floor in your boat. What is called and who manufacturers it and where can i get it

[@MerCSonL6]

It's actually garbage. The adhesive is not sticking. When in tow I literally thought it was going to blow out of the boat. Son

[@mikeanderson7206]

Appreciate your honest opinion. Are those controls available? Mine for my 84 115 doesn't have the warm up lever it has shifter all plastic with center button for throttle only. Its quicksilver but cheesy.

[@maryfithen5006]

Is this control box reversible for port side

[@MerCSonL6]

Negative.

[@travisgerken6339]

great video mercson. i have the barrel on my throttle cable much more aft than the one you have set in this video. if i set the barrel more fore like yours - the motor has a very tough time starting. in both of these settings, the carb butterflies are fully shut in neutral and fully open at full throttle. any idea why I experience such drastic difference in starting motor between the two throttle cable settings?

[@MerCSonL6]

Make sure there's fuel in your brass venturis. You can test by hitting with compressed air. If the fuel splashes through the main You're in good shape. Son

[@travisgerken6339]

@@MerCSonL6 thanks for the reply. it appears that the butterflies do not open until the point when the max spark adjustment screw hits the stop. is anything else changing in the carburetor from the time you shift from neutral to the point the butterflies start to open?

[@maryfithen5006]

Don’t know how you can work with those gloves on,I can’t do it

[@charn1970]

พระงามมากครับ

[@MerCSonL6]

No idea what u are saying but i love it. Son

[@LaverneDefaziox]

Why do most vids make this so difficult 😂😂😂. Take your time and read instructions lol

[@MerCSonL6]

Because this is America.

[@ralphseger9936]

How do you install the ignition?

[@MerCSonL6]

I'm not sure what you mean.... install the ignition? You mean install the carbs?

[@ralphseger9936]

@@MerCSonL6 I bought a 50hp mariner with quicksilver controls. The throttle and shift cables are hooked up. I have the plug plugged in along the side of the motor but ignition key doesn’t work. I bought it used and didn’t know if I’m missing a cord because it has a small cord with a plug coming off the shifter and I didn’t what that’s for. It’s a 1984 50hp mariner. Sorry for the long post and help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

[@ralphseger9936]

I meant any help not and help. Sorry

[@MerCSonL6]

@@ralphseger9936 what's your email?

[@melvinrawlings1457]

This dude def doesn't know wtf he's doing. He has no business having a youtube channel where he's showing people how to do stuff. Like wtf 😂😂😂

[@MerCSonL6]

You are correct my friend. Haha

[@benjaminleis5168]

Maybe us should edit the video so you aren't spending more than 5 minutes hooking up the cables...

[@MerCSonL6]

Maybe you should produce your own videos. Son

[@MerCSonL6]

I have thousands of people asking for longer videos, shorter videos, less editing.... etc. Quite frankly I don't care. I'm just sharing my knowledge. If you don't like my videos then by all means do not watch them. Son

[@robertpayton3795]

Just curious...why are you watching them if you already know the answers. Apparently you are a professional, these are for those who enjoy learning.

[@mercoutboardsinlines6s371]

Benjamin Leis, you're an idiot. He's offering FREE information and helping people around the world save money on costly engine repairs. What exactly are you doing?!

[@forrestanders6951]

Not everyone is a marine tech, sometimes realizing everyone struggles from time to time can help someone not give up on a project. Anyone can always fast forward through if they want to. Good video