1966 650 Merc shortshaft

[liquidlew]

I have a 1966 650 Merc that needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Two problems:
1. I can't find anyone to rebuild this old merc. I understand it's very hard to find parts. 2. I'm told they don't make shortshafts over 40 horsepower any more. The 650 is 65 horsepower and I would like to keep enough horesepower to pull a skier behind my 14' 1962 powercat.

Any suggestions?

 

[emckelvy]

Re: 1966 650 Merc shortshaft

One good thing about the 650-4 is that it shares parts with the Inline Sixes of the era. You can get pistons & rods from donor Sixes and that should help with the rebuild issues. Other internal parts such as the reed blocks, main and conn rod bearings are the same.

You might want to hook up with the folks at John's Old Mercury Q&A board. This is one of the best 'pipelines' for info on old Merc stuff and they are very well connected when it comes to ferreting out parts for these classic motors.

Here's a link to the site:

http://www.pfs-ware.com/phpBB3/index.php?sid=a2f7dbc8cb44eb9d9185013df0aa120c

BTW a '66-67 90 HP, or 100 HP Inline Six powerhead would bolt right up to your 650's lower section, so if you happened to find a smokin' hot deal on a Six with a trashed lower, you could really make your Powercaft scream!

HTH & G'luck.........ed

 

[liquidlew]

Re: 1966 650 Merc shortshaft

Thanks ed! I was about to give up on it and tie it to a rope and use it for an anchor. I will check into the sites you gave me!

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: 1966 650 Merc shortshaft

Ed has a great idea, as long as yer boat is rated fer the extra power.

I would recommend ya stick with the 1967ss versions of the 650, 950, 1100, or later 1000 to at least 1969, (NOT the 1250 as it doesn't have an exhaust tuner that the 650 has).

The later engines I have mentioned had the trigger fired Thunderbolt battery fired CD ingition with surface gap plugs. You will luv the simplicity and reliability!!!!

JR

 

[liquidlew]

Re: 1966 650 Merc shortshaft

Thanks JR, ideally I would like to get this thing rebuilt, it came with the boat I got 8 years ago and even with a bad cyl, I was still (barely) able to get a skier up with 2 people in the boat. Boat is a 1962 14' or 15' powercat. Motor is extremely hard to start and stalls out alot when it does start, but it should be just right if I can get it rebuilt. Thanks for all your input guys!

 

[rmkrzy]

Re: 1966 650 Merc shortshaft

I have a 1966 650 Merc that needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Two problems:
1. I can't find anyone to rebuild this old merc. I understand it's very hard to find parts. 2. I'm told they don't make shortshafts over 40 horsepower any more. The 650 is 65 horsepower and I would like to keep enough horesepower to pull a skier behind my 14' 1962 powercat.

Any suggestions?

what model powercat do you have a twin hull or a tri hull ?

 

[rmkrzy]

Re: 1966 650 Merc shortshaft

I have a 1966 650 Merc that needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Two problems:
1. I can't find anyone to rebuild this old merc. I understand it's very hard to find parts. 2. I'm told they don't make shortshafts over 40 horsepower any more. The 650 is 65 horsepower and I would like to keep enough horesepower to pull a skier behind my 14' 1962 powercat.

Any suggestions?

what type of powercat hull do you have, a twin hull or a tri hull?

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 1966 650 Merc shortshaft

I got a BRAND NEW FACTORY block for that engine!!! -0-hours

 

[OCboat]

Re: 1966 650 Merc shortshaft

How and where?

 

[rmkrzy]

Re: 1966 650 Merc shortshaft

if you are interested in selling your 14t e-mail me at krzylabman1@yahoo.com