Re: convert manual start to electric start
I did this conversion with my 76 Merc 200, serial number 4353027. I found the parts on eBay. The rare thing is the starter. There is both the original (50-47216) which has a field winding and the later version (50-97949) which has permanent field magnets. The later one draws less current, so I have a slight preference for it. I have seen at least a half dozen of these on eBay in the last 18 months, but they are definitely not common. You have to be dedicated to this project and prepared to bid to win. I have seen them go for anywhere from $25 (I bought that one, it was listed as a "stator" instead of a "starter"!) to $175. If it is worth it to you, it can be done, and if you aren't in too big of a hurry you can find one at a decent price--$75 to $100. The starter is the only rare item, the rest of what you need is pretty easy to find, with the exception of the internal wiring harness, but you can work around that also. It isn't rocket science once you find the starter. Here's a tip--if you can wait, you'll find cheaper parts in the winter than in the spring!<br /><br />Parts list:<br />
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...g&inbr=464&bnbr=180&bdesc=ELECTRIC+COMPONENTS <br /><br />A used starter is an unknown quantity, so communicate wih the seller before hand. Apparently you can get a new end cap for the later model starter, which includes brushes. I know this because I bought one on eBay from a guy who had just replaced the end cap, but I don't know the part number for that. I think it might be the same as the end cap that fits on a later model 20 HP starter, which has led me to wonder what other parts might interchange (armature, housing with field magnets, bendix?). One obvious differenct between the starter for your motor (and all the previous electric start Merc 200's) versus the later Merc 200's is the top housing where it bolts onto the motor. This mounting changed shortly after 1976, the newer ones have "ears" on the side where they mount. As I said, I'm not sure about interchange of other components of the starter, but I'd like to know. <br /><br />Some will say, with reasonable justification, that if you want electric start get a different motor. You make the call.<br /><br />I smile every time I push that button and the motor fires up. I have problems with a shoulder injury, so for me this was worth doing, and I like to tinker with my motor anyway.
