TOPIC: What MerControl will work (1965 1000)

I have a 1965 1000 Power of Tower on my slickcraft SS160 that came without the control. I am asking to see what controls might work with it (or which should it have had).

Serial Number on Mercury is 1,854,8xx which is why I say 1965.

I have seen two main styles of MerControls for boats from the 60's give or take a few years and want to understand what should be there as well as what would work properly. The two are square versus shaped - will either work or is one more appropriate for the ski boat?



Thanks in advance,

Chris

The end of the wire harness looks like this (position switch / key ignition and electric choke button - I think):



The end of the Control Cables look like this (and they slide like butter):



The panel it was mounted to looks like this (in case mounting holes tell the story):



The left side of the panel area has a double hole cutout for the power trim 3 button controls...

Either box will work, but it is very tough to find control cables that will work in the larger oval control box.
The square box uses control cables that can be purchased new still.
The external electrical harness for the '65 1000 has to match the pin configuration of the motor's internal harness, so if you don't have the external harness (goes from the ignition key back to where it plugs into the motor) you'll want to be aware of this issue when you are on the hunt for the harness.
That ignition switch, etc is from the square box, and so are the control cables.
Can you post a picture of the pin configuration at the engine end of the electrical harness?
doc F

Thanks Doc F

From what I can tell the only thing that has happened to the boat is someone took the control box out of the boat but left the cables and harnesses hooked up - and then the prop is gone as well (need to get that resolved too). Otherwise it is as was built. I have not got any parts for it yet - what is there is what it came with.

I do have the external harness so that is one less hunt I have to do...

Here is a picture of the engine pin configuration:



That is the first time I have unplugged it - here is how I found it (well, the cowl and medallion were on):


Thanks again for such a quick response!

Chris

IMHO I would use the square box as the good Doc rightly points out. Lots around and easy to service.

Thanks for your input - that is the direction I am heading.

I just wanted to find out if the cables it had in place would work with one or the other and am glad to know it is square - now to get one (white or maybe even black as the boat is black with a red interior). The cables and wire harness are good to go as far as i know so it opens up my options a lot just needing the mechanical parts of the box...

Chris

If you find that you need something for this project - whether control box related or engine related,...I can help you out.
I don't have much NLA, but lot of good used goodies.
I am crazy busy this time of the year, as the PNW has a short boating season, but I love helping out folks with needs for "Mercury Magic"
doc
There are a BUNCH of Mercury GURUs on this sight, so don't hesitate to post any and all questions.

Hey Doc What is the model and HP of that sexy red beast ?

Thanks Doc.

I will have some more questions when I get to selecting a Prop and get the parts for the hub as well (only other part missing so far).

Chris

Mark 75 H one of the rarest mercs I think only about 74 made.

That one happens to be a Mark 75 "F", one of Doc Frankenmerc's special creations!

Extremely rare, there's only one like it in the whole world!!

Exactly!!!
doc

i've used both on my 62 merc 700 with no alteration. :

Vuyosevich,

I see two options, could you please clarify:

1) You have the same selector cables and wiring harness hooked to the outboard but change between the two housings you show with no issues in fit or function

2) you have two housings - each with their own selector cables and wiring harness - that hook up to your outboard with no issues

The difference I am interested in is that I already have the original selector cables and original wiring harness in place I just am missing the MerControl housing and it sounds like one fits my cables but the other fits a different design of cable.

Right now I am under the impression the cables will fit one control box design but not the other (I have never seen the inside of the two boxes side by side).

Thanks for any further insight into how you switched between the two designs (control box only change versus control box-cable-harness change)

Chris

the square box takes the cables that have a hole in the end of the cable.
the pepod box takes a cable that has a gear on the end.

Thanks Dave.

Doc said they were not the same I just did not know how - thanks for the explanation.

Chris

anytime the cable with the gear is hard to find. go with the eye still available.