Servicing a Morse-lever - how often and how to do it?

B

Babylon

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 Jan 2008
Messages
4,388
Location
Solent
Visit site
What is the recommended service interval for an open-cockpit mounted Morse-lever, and what does one need to do?

Thanks
 
I have not serviced mine for 10 years. On previous boats, I would lubricate the levers / plates with a dab of grease by working the mechanism if I thought it was getting stiff.
 
Mine failed due to corrosion. I discovered the top edge of the flange that covers the lever base, in the cockpit was leaking saltwater down onto the shaft of the lever and into the ends of the cable attachments. I changed the lot. The cables were corroded too. Now I annually grease the lot, and have sealed the cover better. The original one did 21 years.
 
Which one do have?

Most are sealed units so other than cleaning and greasing not much you can do with them

Watch the red button if it’s TX and replace if it’s sticking
 
Last edited:
I greased mine 13 years ago when I bought the boat - which reminds me I must check it - the throttle gradually reduces the revs when at about 1500rpm but ok when faster.
 
My pal had a problem with his Morse control after about 10 years. My boat was 2 years old at the time so I gave it and the wheel steering linkages a good greasing as a preventive measure. Now 5 years old and not planning to repeat any time soon.
 
Thanks for the feedback and the links to previous threads - very informative.

I imagine it is an original 'heavy-duty' unit fitted to my Vancouver 27 in 1982 (everything about the boat is over-specified). It became temporarily sticky earlier this year (maybe just dried salt/grime forced in at surface moving-parts during an earlier jet-wash of the cockpit?). Although its working fine now, I'm wary of ignoring any potential problem in case it fails when I really need it!

DSC_0230.JPG

Pending removing it, I wonder if - inside the coaming - the unit looks like this (from ASAP Supplies)?

ASAP Morse.png
 
Babylon said:
Thanks for the feedback and the links to previous threads - very informative.

I imagine it is an original 'heavy-duty' unit fitted to my Vancouver 27 in 1982 (everything about the boat is over-specified). It became temporarily sticky earlier this year (maybe just dried salt/grime forced in at surface moving-parts during an earlier jet-wash of the cockpit?). Although its working fine now, I'm wary of ignoring any potential problem in case it fails when I really need it!

View attachment 72640

Pending removing it, I wonder if - inside the coaming - the unit looks like this (from ASAP Supplies)?

View attachment 72641
Click to expand...

No, as said, nothing like the one pictured.

However the single lever Morse type which has both gear and engine control are all much the same inside. You may be able to see if you can get underneath. essentially they have two rocking levers operated by the outside lever. one controls the gear cable and the other the engine. they are greased and in your case as the internals are "internal" generally they need no regular maintenance. The weak points are the push button which disengages the gear cable and the lever itself as they are open to the elements and can suffer from corrosion just as you described. spray the shafts with a freeing oil and that should stop the stiffness. However, you seem to have a cockpit cover so your control lives in a very luxurious environment so should not suffer long term..
 
The neutral button is a pull out on this control which has a drive pin that engages in a slot in the internal gear
The wear factor is that if the pin is not pushed home properly in the centre position then it starts to chamfer the slot in the gear and the failure is when instead of selecting gear or just jacks the button out
I used to collect spare gears from the factory but that was long ago I don’t believe that they were ever sold as spares.
 
Thanks for the further helpful replies. I'll check and lubricate what I can from inside the cockpit-locker, and add this procedure to my annual engine service routine.

Re the cockpit enclosure, I only use this when aboard anchored in moored in inclement weather or when very hot for shade with the sides and back rolled up, the rest of the time it remains folded away.

I imagine that, like any mechanical unit, the Morse mechanism will prefer being used rather than stood for excessive lengths of time.
 
pandroid said:
Can someone please tell me what to lubricate it *with*? I don’t want to spray it with WD40 if that just makes it worse.
Click to expand...

I used to use a general purpose grease, such as Castrol LM, a tub of which I have had for many years, it is an opaque, very light tan colour in the tub. I didn't use the thick waterproof grease that goes into the stern gland or Blakes Seacocks as the mechanism does not warrant such a heavy grease, although it probably would be okay if applied lightly.
 
If you have leaky bilges, as I have, it may be more important to put a bit of lubricant on the gear change cable. Mine seized up and had to be replaced, so the new one got a light dose of ACF50, though I do wonder if the teflon spray I use on the mast track wouldn't have been better/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

Y
VHF aerial pushpit mounted
Replies
15
Views
475
RunAgroundHard
RunAgroundHard

Share this page

Top