1961 Merc 400

[kevinbru]

Hey folks! New to the forum! I am working on restoring a 1961 Bowman with a Merc 400s 45hp outboard. Looking for motor help. The rectifier was missing when I bought the boat. The guy I bought it from said it would run with a battery, just needed a rectifier. What I do not see is a stator under the flywheel. Also, I see in the parts diagram that this model takes a different flywheel than the M/E models. The flywheel has no magnetism or magnets that I can find. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[1960 Starflite]

I have a 1961 300/35 HP on the StarFlite. There is no charging system, so no need for rectifier. We just use a deep cycle battery in it.

 

[1960 Starflite]

I have a 1960, 300/35 HP on the StarFlite. There is no charging system, so no need for rectifier. We just use a deep cycle battery in it.

 

[kevinbru]

I have a 1961 300/35 HP on the StarFlite. There is no charging system, so no need for rectifier. We just use a deep cycle battery in it.

Wow! Seems odd that they would make a motor that would have to rely on a battery to run. Thanks for the response!

 

[racerone]

Nope ------These only need the battery to crank it over.-----The wonderfully simple , easy to maintain magneto makes spark all by itself.----No need for a 12 volt battery for the motor to run !!----Lots of spares available for these.----Your location ?

 

[1960 Starflite]

They don't need a battery to run, but it's easier to use the starter than the recoil rope . They use a magnito ignition system.

 

[kevinbru]

Nope ------These only need the battery to crank it over.-----The wonderfully simple , easy to maintain magneto makes spark all by itself.----No need for a 12 volt battery for the motor to run !!----Lots of spares available for these.----Your location ?

I am in Michigan. My motor does not have a stator nor magnets under the flywheel. How the heck does it make electricity? I am a pretty good mechanic, but not very good with electrical stuff. Thanks for the info!

 

[racerone]

In the late fifties and early sixties folks were just delighted with simple outboard motors.----Not everyone could afford electric start and battery charging !!-----It was a different attitude then what folks have today !----The magneto produces spark without the need of 12 volts.----It is a simple belt driven unit.---Split that magneto and remove the bottom half.---Clean and set the breaker points at 0.008" .------Test the magneto before re-installing on the motor.-----Careful with the parts as they are expensive to replace.

 

[GA_Boater]

I am in Michigan. My motor does not have a stator nor magnets under the flywheel. How the heck does it make electricity? I am a pretty good mechanic, but not very good with electrical stuff. Thanks for the info!

The only "electricity" it makes is in the Magneto, very similar in function to a lawn mower to fire the plugs.

As Racer said, don't break any parts. $$$$$