1972 50hp "Lark"

[southern_boy]

i recently aquired a 1977 ranger and was given a 1972 50 hp "lark" along with it. I have never owned a boat or worked on an outboard motor so I'm hoping I can get some help here. I noticed the throttle/shifter cable is broken and would like to know if i can start the motor without this part. I know the motor has to be in neutral to start but im having some trouble getting it there. I plan on taking a 55 gallon drum home from work this afternoon so i can run it in that because ive seen people having problems with the muffs.

Thanks in advance for the help

[boats.net]

Yes, you can start with out the t/s cables. Just make sure the motor is in neutral. You can do this by spinning the propeller, if it spins (both directions) then it is in neutral, if only spins one direction then you are in forward and requires adjustment.

[southern_boy]

The prop will spin both ways but it will catch and stop spinning after a quarter to a half spin. Is that what its supposed to do?

[boats.net]

No if in neutal it should spin without catching.

[ajbowles]

I have the same motor and it is an electric shift. It defaults to forward gear when off or when there is a problem with the shift mechanism. It will not shift into neutral until the motor starts as it uses an oil pump to move the clutch dog. The pump moves the clutch dog from the forward position to the neutral or reverse position as commanded by the electric shift solenoids. It defaults to forward gear as a safety precaution so if you are on the water and a component stops working you will be able to get back to the dock with forward gear.

[southern_boy]

I got the motor running, but there are a few things i need to aqquire to get this craft water ready and i, hoping y'all can lead me in the direction of a good deal. i need the throttle and steering cables, the ignition wiring harness with or without switch and keys, and i also need the throttle control box and any help i can get on setting it all up (tilt/trim control, mounting, routing cables and wiring, etc.) any and all help is greatly appreciated. Im ho[ping to get this boat in the water this summer and catch some fish with my black lab as a bow ornament.

[southern_boy]

i would also like to know if i can use non-electric shift control boxes. ive found quite a few with cables on ebay both electric and non-electric shift. would something like the Evinrude "simplex" work or just the Evinrude "selectric"?