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Author Topic:   Old Morse control, new Merc

MobyD posted 10-01-2002 10:48 PM ET (US)
I have a 71 Sakonnet with the single lever Morse control with a 71 Merc 80 hp. Question is will this older Morse control work with a new Merc 90?
Thanks
MobyD.....Whaler
Bigshot posted 10-01-2002 10:52 PM ET (US)
Maybe....but should #2
MobyD posted 10-01-2002 10:58 PM ET (US)
Thanks BS... yeah a triple post... definitely not a triple threat. Browser was messing up. Sorry all!
Moby D.....putz.
Bigshot posted 10-02-2002 09:05 AM ET (US)
It may just bolt up or you may need to buy new cables but I think the control itself will work. They are kinda universal.
WSTEFFENS posted 10-02-2002 11:18 PM ET (US)
Moby:
For what it is worth. Ditch the Morris control cables and associated equipment. Use the OEM shifter/controls they will work better and be easier to set up. I have had 3 whalers 2 with Morris set ups and the last time out I said forget it and used the engine OEM set up. What a difference they worked easily quickly and without jams. My dad was in love with the Morris set up and I can't figure why. When I buy my next classic whaler I will tear out the Morris unit, if equiped, and find the engine OEM shifter/throttle unit necessary to replace the junk!
Best
WLS
MobyD posted 10-02-2002 11:56 PM ET (US)
WLS...
Thanks for the info. I will definitely keep it in mind. I was trying to keep the old unit because I liked the looks, didn't want to add different holes in my new console, and figured if it worked well and was easy, why not. I just found out that the unit I am buying does come with the controls.... so.....
Thanks
MobyD
Landlocked posted 10-03-2002 10:03 AM ET (US)
Moby,
I encountered this same problem last spring when I repowered my 77 montauk with a new Merc. The original motor was a 85hp Johnson. The installer, Bass Pro, told me that the old control would not work with the Merc.
All it took, however was about 2 hours on this site and I had complete instructions along with a schematic to take to the shop to show them how to do it.
For the conversion from Johnson to Merc, there is a lever inside the old morse that has to be reversed from push to pull or the other way around - can't remember. The cable ends also had to be changed at the motor. No big deal. Since you are staying with Merc, I would say almost for sure that the unit will hook right up. You will, however, have to purchase a stand alone switch. I took the old switch out of its housing and install the new switch in the old "ring". This left me with a completely stock console.
I love the single lever morse control and wouldn't part with it if I could help it. It has that classic look and once your used to it, its no more difficult to use than OEM.
Stick to your guns. It can be done. Search the repairs/mods and Performance sections discussions for the threads pertaining to my installation.
Ll.
Landlocked posted 10-03-2002 10:04 AM ET (US)
Forgot to note. I installed a new Merc 90 2-stroke.
Ll.
RWM posted 10-03-2002 10:03 PM ET (US)
When I recently repowered I ditched my Morse control (sold it for $100) and dropped $350 for an OMC OEM with tilt and trim plus ignition.
I had to cut a big hole in the console, but it looks O.K.
If I had to do it again I'd keep the Morse and put in a momentary switch for the T&T.
Just an old fashioned guy I guess.
jimh posted 10-04-2002 10:44 PM ET (US)
I am heartened to hear that older Morse controls have been made to work with modern engines. Particularly on a classic boat like a SAKONNET, I think it would be a shame to abandon the Morse single lever control.
John O posted 10-05-2002 10:02 AM ET (US)
Any pics. available of the Morse Controls? How long were they used for?
Bigshot posted 10-07-2002 11:05 AM ET (US)
Still available but not cheap and no options compared to OEM controls these days with warning buzzers, etc.
Landlocked posted 10-07-2002 02:27 PM ET (US)
I purchased a seperate wiring harness for my new motor from the dealer. Wasn't cheap - $100 or so. Came with a warning buzzer, lead for trim/tilt, lead for switch, and hookups for guages.
Ll.

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Author	Topic: Old Morse control, new Merc
MobyD	posted 10-01-2002 10:48 PM ET (US) I have a 71 Sakonnet with the single lever Morse control with a 71 Merc 80 hp. Question is will this older Morse control work with a new Merc 90? Thanks MobyD.....Whaler
Bigshot	posted 10-01-2002 10:52 PM ET (US) Maybe....but should #2
MobyD	posted 10-01-2002 10:58 PM ET (US) Thanks BS... yeah a triple post... definitely not a triple threat. Browser was messing up. Sorry all! Moby D.....putz.
Bigshot	posted 10-02-2002 09:05 AM ET (US) It may just bolt up or you may need to buy new cables but I think the control itself will work. They are kinda universal.
WSTEFFENS	posted 10-02-2002 11:18 PM ET (US) Moby: For what it is worth. Ditch the Morris control cables and associated equipment. Use the OEM shifter/controls they will work better and be easier to set up. I have had 3 whalers 2 with Morris set ups and the last time out I said forget it and used the engine OEM set up. What a difference they worked easily quickly and without jams. My dad was in love with the Morris set up and I can't figure why. When I buy my next classic whaler I will tear out the Morris unit, if equiped, and find the engine OEM shifter/throttle unit necessary to replace the junk! Best WLS
MobyD	posted 10-02-2002 11:56 PM ET (US) WLS... Thanks for the info. I will definitely keep it in mind. I was trying to keep the old unit because I liked the looks, didn't want to add different holes in my new console, and figured if it worked well and was easy, why not. I just found out that the unit I am buying does come with the controls.... so..... Thanks MobyD
Landlocked	posted 10-03-2002 10:03 AM ET (US) Moby, I encountered this same problem last spring when I repowered my 77 montauk with a new Merc. The original motor was a 85hp Johnson. The installer, Bass Pro, told me that the old control would not work with the Merc. All it took, however was about 2 hours on this site and I had complete instructions along with a schematic to take to the shop to show them how to do it. For the conversion from Johnson to Merc, there is a lever inside the old morse that has to be reversed from push to pull or the other way around - can't remember. The cable ends also had to be changed at the motor. No big deal. Since you are staying with Merc, I would say almost for sure that the unit will hook right up. You will, however, have to purchase a stand alone switch. I took the old switch out of its housing and install the new switch in the old "ring". This left me with a completely stock console. I love the single lever morse control and wouldn't part with it if I could help it. It has that classic look and once your used to it, its no more difficult to use than OEM. Stick to your guns. It can be done. Search the repairs/mods and Performance sections discussions for the threads pertaining to my installation. Ll.
Landlocked	posted 10-03-2002 10:04 AM ET (US) Forgot to note. I installed a new Merc 90 2-stroke. Ll.
RWM	posted 10-03-2002 10:03 PM ET (US) When I recently repowered I ditched my Morse control (sold it for $100) and dropped $350 for an OMC OEM with tilt and trim plus ignition. I had to cut a big hole in the console, but it looks O.K. If I had to do it again I'd keep the Morse and put in a momentary switch for the T&T. Just an old fashioned guy I guess.
jimh	posted 10-04-2002 10:44 PM ET (US) I am heartened to hear that older Morse controls have been made to work with modern engines. Particularly on a classic boat like a SAKONNET, I think it would be a shame to abandon the Morse single lever control.
John O	posted 10-05-2002 10:02 AM ET (US) Any pics. available of the Morse Controls? How long were they used for?
Bigshot	posted 10-07-2002 11:05 AM ET (US) Still available but not cheap and no options compared to OEM controls these days with warning buzzers, etc.
Landlocked	posted 10-07-2002 02:27 PM ET (US) I purchased a seperate wiring harness for my new motor from the dealer. Wasn't cheap - $100 or so. Came with a warning buzzer, lead for trim/tilt, lead for switch, and hookups for guages. Ll.