1972 Merc 1400

[linckeil]

i found a local 140hp merc for sale that i am considering. the serial number indicates it to be a 1972 model. oldmercs.com indicates that 1970-1971 there was a 135hp, 1972 there was the 140hp, and 1973 and on was the 150hp.

why was this motor only built for this one year? what are the differences between this motor and the 135 or the 150? i was originally looking for a 150, but came across this 140. should i hold out for a 150, or grab up this 140 if everything checks out? is this motor as reliable as any merc of this era? any odd quirks to the 1400? thanks.

 

[emckelvy]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

The 140 was just a 135 with the "later-style" exhaust tuner and corresponding mods to the block to match. The 135 and 140 were both "non-power-ported".

The 1500 had the power-ported pistons and block. As far as model lineup, Merc was shuffling HP ratings all the time and perhaps the 1400 was taking too much bizness away from their "flagship" 1500. Doesn't mean there was anything wrong with the 140 HP.

If you had your heart set on a 1500 you might want to wait, however there's nothing wrong with a good 1350 or 1400. The 1500 is a bit "peakier" and makes plenty ponies at the top end. I'd expect a 1400 might have more torque at the low end due to porting.

Since they're all the same displacement, have identical crankshafts and only slight diff's in blocks etc, the choice would come down mostly condition. For example, I'd take a clean, fresh water 1400 any day over a Salty Dog 1500.

None of the aforementioned models has any more "quirks" than the other.

Except maybe that the 1500, being more "high-strung", benefits greatly from proper, spot-on tuning and correct fuels/propping.

I ran the heck out of my old 1350 and it was a great-performing motor.

I don't expect that, on the right hull, a 1350 or 1400 would disappoint!

Cheers............ed

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

The day we don't agree with Ed, is the day boating is outlawed..agree 100% (had an XS 150, Merc Guru friend of Ed built me a 135, and a FREAKING SCREAMER...just do it). Not much diff, and I'll bet the 140 aint as abused as a 150...

 

[linckeil]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

thanks for the great info. my heart isn't set on a 150. i wanted a 135 or a 150. but i kind of like the 1 year production run of the 140 - makes it a bit more unique.

 

[linckeil]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

so i ended up picking up the motor last night. its in great shape. it doesn't look like its ever seen salt. i bought it from a mortgage broker who said it was in a house that was foreclosed on. i got a great deal on it. it doesn't look like its been used in decades.

the wiring harnass is in rough shape. touch a wire and the insulation literally falls off. the fuel lines need to be replaced too. where's the best place to get this parts? are these parts even available? will the wiring harnass from my 1973 850 work on this 1972 1400?

it also came with a really neat 2 blade bronze 23 pitch prop. is this a racing prop? i've never run a 2 blade prop, or a bronze prop. what are the advantages/disadvantages of it being made of bronze and of having 2 blades?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

the 2 blade 23 prop is a racing prop for high speed but a dog getting out of the hole. if the plug on the 850 and 1400 match and i think they do, count the wires. use them the same control should work also. i had a 71 1350, got new harness from sea-waymarine.com, and picked up an nos control with harness on ebay. it was a screamer.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

so i ended up picking up the motor last night. its in great shape. it doesn't look like its ever seen salt. i bought it from a mortgage broker who said it was in a house that was foreclosed on. i got a great deal on it. it doesn't look like its been used in decades.

the wiring harnass is in rough shape. touch a wire and the insulation literally falls off. the fuel lines need to be replaced too. where's the best place to get this parts? are these parts even available? will the wiring harnass from my 1973 850 work on this 1972 1400?

it also came with a really neat 2 blade bronze 23 pitch prop. is this a racing prop? i've never run a 2 blade prop, or a bronze prop. what are the advantages/disadvantages of it being made of bronze and of having 2 blades?

Is the block a silver color, (like aluminum) or black? I know there was a change from 1971, (I own a 1971 1150 silver block parts motor) and 1973 which was black, but not sure about the 1972. The reason for my question: silver blocks are very similar fuel systems and lines, as are the later black blocks. The wiring harnesses were also similar but the silver block harness can be modified to fit the black blocks and visa versa. Great find, there is a thread here on iboats about the steps to revive and old proud girl like you have. I bet Scaaty will want your prop for his 1350 rocket boat! You will soon have "old merc disease"! JR

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

Yep on the possible selling of the prop! I have a borrowed 13/24p 2 blade bronze now. 2 blades are for fast light boats...wanna sell, lemme know

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

Doing a bump..

 

[linckeil]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

hey scatty, shoot me an email at linckeil@hotmail.com

i'll email you back some pics of the prop. i haven't decided if i want to sell it or not just yet, but i can at least get you a few pics if interested.

 

[linckeil]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

ok, so i built a stand for it and got it all cleaned up. the riveted vin plate indicates it to be a 1972 1400 as i said. and all the decaling indicate it to be a 1400 also. but, the number on the block is different. the block number is 4320181. i went to oldmercs.com to check it out. well this vin fits in the range of several motors. per the website, it could be a 1976 1150 powerhead, 1976 1500, or a 1976 1500xs. the number also worked for smaller 4 cylinder motors, but thats obviously not the case. oldmercs also lists a 1976 1750 for which that vin will work, but weren't the 1750's V6 motors?

anyway, how can i tell what powerhead i have? i can get pics if that would help.

 

[emckelvy]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

Merc Ser #'s are strange that way, sometimes it's hard to tell what you've got unless you're sure of the HP.

One easy way to get a clue about what you have is to look at the carb's main jets. The size will tell you a lot.

Just remove the most accessible brass jet access plug (at the bottom front of each carb) and see if you can get a read on the jet size. The print is quite small but with a strong light (and maybe a mirror if you can't get a straight shot into the jet), you can probably make out the numbers.

For example, you'd expect a 1400 to have .080 or .082 jets, so on, so forth.

It's not an absolute, but if, for example, you had significantly smaller jets in there, you might have something different than what the covers indicate.

Curious as to what you find......................ed

 

[Droll]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

A picture of the power head would help

Just working on a newer 90 L6 witch I plan to covert to a 140 ( got a 72 1400 I will copy )...

My 1400 got a silver block, the later ones got painted black.
My 1400 got 2 fuel pumps, later inline engines got the newer single pump.
My 1400 got WMK-7 carbs but they also came with WMK-9 carbs, main jets were .080 or .082 or.084 .

If you remove the transfer port cover you will see some big ports , usually there are no need to do so .



Arne Kjetil

 

[linckeil]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

thanks for the ideas. i will check into the ports and jets probably next weekend.

here's a bit more information that may help in identifying the powerhead. the rear plate where the electronics bolt to indicate timing specs. it says 125 BTDC 23 degrees.

the ignition coil typically mounts to the block just under the distributor with 3 bolts. well on this motor, the coil is not there. it is on the other side of the motor just behind the starter solenoid. and its a big red coil.

and the motor does have 2 fuel pumps.

does any of this info help narrow the motor down?

i have pictures of the powerhead and would like to post them here for all to see, but i don't know how to resize them. if anyone is interested i can email you the pics and maybe someone would be able to resize them for me and post them here.

thanks.

 

[linckeil]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

Bump

 

[Droll]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

The numbers on the carbs would be helpful, WMK-**

About your image... you could upload them to http://www.imageshack.us/, and just add a link ( to the pictures ) in one of your posts here .


Arne Kjetil

 

[linckeil]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

ok, i put some pics up on that website. its a nice site by the way. thanks for pointing it out.

anyway, i hope this works. here's the link.

http://profile.imageshack.us/user/linckeil/images

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

Link, Does that motor have the throttle arm? from the pictures it appears to be different. It has the older style coil and rectifier, like my '73 850 did.

Looks like a pretty good deal. I used to run my '77 Merc 1500 on a Avenger speed boat with a 21" pitch 3 blade prop. I could get 50+MPH out of her, until she threw a rod last month.

 

[linckeil]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

it does not have the throttle arm or starter motor. those 2 items are missing.

so thats an older style coil? up until what year was that style coil used? you can see the triangular boss on the block under the distributor where i've seen coils mounted on inline 6's.

do the pics or the timing specs i posted earlier help identify the powerhead? like i said, the serial number on the block identifies it as several motors, but most likely either a 115 or a 150.

 

[Droll]

Re: 1972 Merc 1400

Find the number on the carbs WMK-?? , If they are original they will tell the story .

What we know so far...
Black powerhead = 1972 > 1988
Thunderbolt ingition = used up to mid 1979 .
Big coil = used up to 74
2 fuel pumps = used up to 74 ?

the rear plate where the electronics bolt to indicate timing specs. it says 125 BTDC 23 degrees.

Got the same sticker on my 1400....but..


Arne Kjetil