Mercury and my mercontrol question

[bloodangels]

I have a 1970 1350 Mercury outboard with a Mercontrol at the helm. It seems that the controls do not always make the engine go into Neutral like it should. I feel the the control click at the |N| sign on the side of the controller but when I go the engine and try and spin the prop it is still in gear. It there some adjustment on the cable some where that might put the Neutral back where it belongs or amy I just going to have to replace the whole controls?
I did also notice that as I push the controls forward that it seem stiff and that there was a lot forward movement of the control arm but it did not rev up the engine at all. I all most have to be a full throttle before the engine takes off out of idle.
I will attach a pic of the controls

[Dave S]

Hello, you will have to readjust your cables. Take them off and see if they work smoothly. If they do, put them in neutral and do the same on the motor. Adjust the cables to match the motor. Some time the control box wears out, there is a cam with a small piece that wears off that usually has more to do with shifting, so that may be your problem. Sometimes the cam and pin are worn out in the lower unit. Try pulling back into reverse and then go into neutral. That will take care of slop in the cables and lower unit when you operate.

[bloodangels]

yes I figured that I would have to adjust the cables. I don't think that is in the lower unit because it is fairly new with only about 20 hours on it. I just wanted to get the opinion of the board before I start into this. I feel it is better ask questions first before tearing something up that did not need it.
I did buy a selco book on this engine and it some pictures of it and different control boxes. I have not looked to see if it had the adjustment section yet in it.
Thanks again,
Phill