Over the last year for some reason I have had a lot of old 1970's mercs come in as part exchange, And I've also been buying them as non runners to Break for parts to keep these motors running for the (now myself also) enthusiasts I do love the sound of them so I have decided to keep 3 and run them this season on my SIB. I like the fact I can run one fuel line to fit them all and most the parts are swappable so I guess I will always have at least 2 running lol. They are all standard shaft that I measure at 17-18 inches.
The Good:
A 1978 model 45 4.5hp brought from an elderly guy who has retired from boating, It spent all its life on a yacht as a back up but never used however it was run twice a year, a minter of an engine it came with all the paperwork, all the wiring was corroded internally so all was replaced as well as all the pipes, Thunderbolt points ignition and single Cylinder, it now runs great, starts first pull, no parts were needed other than an upto date kill switch fitted. A new old stock green coil has been ordered for spare from the states.
The Bad:
A 1973 model 75 7.5hp, 165psi in both cylinders, Thunderbolt CDI ignition, engine runs great, The drive shaft on this 1973 is standard metal so has corroded at the gearbox seal in the impeller housing thus the seal will not seal on the shaft, been waiting for a stainless steel shaft gearbox or hole engine to come up to get this one in the water. . . Still waiting but one will come up lol, after 1975/1975 Mercury made all the drive shafts stainless so this issue was sorted from then on. Up to date kill switch fitted and the engine will be repainted when the new gearbox is fitted.
The Ugly:
A 1979 model 200 Mercury 20hp, compression 120psi in both cylinders, Thunderbolt CDI ignition, no real work needed just some new plugs, another minter under the hood, could really do with repainting, (So I guess I probably will) up to date kill switch fitted, runs great starts on half a pull and sounds like an outboard should! the 2 spare red new old stock coils ordered from States for the 7.5hp will fit this one as well
So far I have all spare used main, pre low and fast coils to fit all the outboards, 2 x CDI boxes and a spare carbs for all, (all the outboards have their original carbs and fuel pumps that I re-conditioned and refitted) and a selection of 2 and 3 blade spare props, the only real outstanding further work to do is to make up new HT leads for them all, and hunt down a gearbox for the 7.5hp.
Will be taking the 4.5 and 20 out for a test run tomorrow
