1968 Merc 500 flywheel & starter

[akwormy]

Hi all - just picked up this 1968 500 hoping I can get some help on parts crossover so I can buy a flywheel and starter to convert it to electric start.

Serial number is 2404571. I do have a shop manual for it.

Can anyone give me an idea what years and hp size for other mercs that would be direct swaps on both parts?

Also, I see on ebay lots of folks list the part number for what they are selling. Does anyone have part numbers for flywheel and starter for this 68 merc 500 so I can look for those numbers directly?

Thanks!

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1968 Merc 500 flywheel & starter

Heres a good site to cross referance parts http://www.mercruiserparts.com/selectSerailRange.asp?doc_nbr=500

 

[akwormy]

Re: 1968 Merc 500 flywheel & starter

That's just what I needed, thanks!

After all the supercessions it looks like I need 223-2403A18 flywheel and a 5055601A2 starter

Unfortunately I don't see (could have missed it) any kind of reverse lookup. For example, something so I can see what other engines the 223-2403A18 fits.

If anyone knows of a general break in models and years where I would lose compatibility it would save me from looking up parts on dozens of possible combinations! (for example did they change something in 72 that makes them different or did 90hp have a different size crank so not interchangeable, etc)

Also - of course, if anyone happens to have these parts and would be willing to send them with USPS flat rate let me know! (online vendors are only wanting to send UPS which to Alaska is obscene $$)

 

[akwormy]

Re: 1968 Merc 500 flywheel & starter

Ok follow up question.

I found a flywheel for a great price. It's for a 70-73 (merc 500 serial 2858814 through 3816307)

It lists the flywheel as a 223-2403A9 - the listing shows it supereceded to a 223-2403A18. (discontinued of course)

When I look up the original flywheel on my 68 (serial 2404571) it shows 223-2427A5 superceded to 223-2403A18.

So both engines superced the flywheel to the same part number.

Here's the question - since the original part numbers are different but superced to the same replacement is it safe to assume that the oringals are interchangable?

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1968 Merc 500 flywheel & starter

Yes

 

[akwormy]

Re: 1968 Merc 500 flywheel & starter

Thanks for the info.

I just tried to order it and inventory on the flywheel was wrong - they don't have it.........

back to searching ...

cheers!

 

[akwormy]

Re: 1968 Merc 500 flywheel & starter

a couple more questions -

I see flywheel pullers on ebay - do I need one or can I improvise? Will an automotive style puller work, for example a harmonic balancer or jaw type gear puller work?

If I convert it from recoil starter to electric start is there a 12v source for battery charging or not? Clearly there isn't an alternator/generator, but maybe the stator charges the battery like an old EFI snowmobile I had once did?

This question might need a new thread, but maybe someone can answer it anyway. I want to do the timing and sync procedure and set my idle properly but there this is a tiller steer motor with no controls or tach. I do have a multi-meter with a tach function - can I grab a signal somewhere?

Thanks!

 

[akwormy]

Re: 1968 Merc 500 flywheel & starter

got the conversion done finally - starter and flywheel w/ring gear + some battery cables, solenoid, and push button switch and no more pulling, swearing, etc!

I was even able to swap over the top cogs on the old flywheel so the recoil starter is still completely functional. Since I have no charging capactiy the recoil backup is nice in case the battery dies on weeklong trip.