Re: 1963 Merc 500 controls? advice?
I have been messing with 65 1000 and a 63 850 for a couple months now and I just got them both going. The big secret? Fuel pumps. These old guys have fuel pumps that operate off crankcase pressure. I really wish that someone more knowledgeable had mentioned this to me. I got ignored every time I asked a question, so don't be surprised if that happens...
There's a good thread on here somewhere that gives a good general procedure for reviving a long-stored outboard.
My advice (in retrospect)? Check the compression. If that's there and the engine seems like everything's there/intact, take everything off the engine (taking VERY specific notes where everything goes - the manual offers NO help with this), clean it, and then put it back - lubing, replacing and rebuilding as necessary.
I tried all sorts of little crap with mine before I sacked up and dove into it. In hindsight, I wish I'd just done that from the start...I could've been on the water in August instead of October...
Also, your carbs, fuel pump(s) and water pump need to be rebuilt. Just do it, you'll be happy you did.
A word on manuals: the Seloc manual for these motors SUCKS! You can find more info on here than in it. I have one but I usually end up in the house, on my computer when the manual doesn't offer squat in terms of info.
I have lot of experience with 4 strokes (cars, trucks, street bikes) but this is my first two stroke and my first outboard. If you have never taken an engine apart and successfully restored it to working order before, be wary - the lack of available info requires you to do a lot of reasoning based on prior knowledge of engines...
