1963 Mercury 500 Outboard

Can you tell me what this black lever does and what it is called? What is it's purpose? For some reason the engine will clunk to a halt once the gear is in drive and the black lever moves forward during this time. Currently the position of the black lever is at 45 when the gear is in neutral.

1. What is it? Some kind of clutch?
2. What is it's starting position when the gear is in neutral. 0, 45, or 90?
3. Do you know why the engine halts when this lever moves forward?
4. Anything else I need to know? Thank you so much.

 

does your key have the option to be pushed in and then turned? im thinking it could be some sort of choke.

 

hey thanks for the reply.

Nope, the key does not have the option to be pushed in, it just turns. Also, the choke is the silver circle in front of the black lever.

 

Hi,the black lever could be to control hydraulic lift/pitch control on the outboard. Is yours fitted with one?It may cut the engine out to stop you running it dry/out of water.My 1980/s boat had to have the lever locked in the full down position to engage gear then could be adjusted once in gear.Hope this helps

 

hmm, im not sure. i'll look on NKO (navy knowledge online) and see if they have anything about these boats.

 

im having a little trouble figuring out which engine is yours. these are the options i have to choose from. if you could help me out on which one is yours i could possibly give you what you need to know and much more

 

With the drive in neutral , it's used as a throttle "lock" lever with the choke for starting
and warming up the motor

Holds the revs up ....... how do I know this ....... got 4 outboards with it in various
designs

When the motor is well warmed up ...push it down the motor will revert to idle and not
cut out when you go to use the main forward/reverse control (which puts the motor in
gear and and applies throttle progressively all in one movement) to get under way or
or get the boat to move astern