50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

[rdmcphe]

I just purchased a boat and outboard motor. The motor is a 50 hp Mercury (blue background on the lettering). It is a 4 cylinder. The S/N is 7154345.<br /><br />Can someone please help by telling me the model year of the motor?<br /><br />Thanks in advance.

 

[Grizzly]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

RDMCPH, Welcome to the best bulletin board you're ever gonna find. I believe your motor is a 1985 model. If I am wrong someone will set you right. http://www.marinshopen.se/guide/mp/merc65.htm ...http://www.marineparts.com/partspages/techhelp/TECH15.HTM-G.

 

[lightbuilder]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

I have had the same problem trying to find the year of my motor, as it is made in Canada. Mine is a 65 Merc with the serial #7020158 made from 72-75. 1985 might be a little to recent. Just my 2 cents

 

[rdmcphe]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

As a final follow up... The motor is a 1980 1/2. That's what it says on the front of the motor with the cowl off. I described it to the local dealer. He thought it was an '80 or '81. <br /><br />I hope this helps someone else with a Canadian motor. Be forwarned the serial number does not match the yearly a ranges that are posted on the net.<br /><br />Russell

 

[freddy1001]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

I have a mercury 50 hp. Made in Australia. The cover is black with a blue strip. The serial number starts with an 8 and is seven digits long. It is stamped on a metal plate sitting between the transmom bolts. <br />The rest of the number is a bit unreadable, will have to try and clean it up a bit.<br />The motor appears to have CDI and is 4 cylinder.

 

[freddy1001]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

Forgot the most important part.<br />Any idea what year it may be ?<br /><br />Cheers and thanks.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

rdmcphe 50 6586624 - A912477 1985 4 cyl

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

Aussie motors seem not be listed anywhere. I have a '80 50hp S/N 805*<br />It looks like this<br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/watermark.php?file=527/1413merc50b-med.jpg <br />Canadian's start with a 7* <br />Post your S/N's and describe the cowling markings and whether it has a distributer or coilpack. <br />This info is from a chart that resides on <br /><br />Dougrussel.com<br />USA 4576237-4962055 1976-77<br />Aust 8042650-8053229<br />Eur 9136250-9195685<br />Can 7088598-7115572<br /><br />USA 4962056-5193258 1978-79<br />Aust 8052230-8057394<br />Eur 9195686-9206325<br />Can 7115573-7116222

 

[JeremyNeale]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

Got a problem perhaps you guys can help with.<br /><br />I have a merc classic 50 - 4 cylnder 50HP.<br /><br />The serial number (from plate on transom mount) though is #9463335 which seems to correspond to a 50 HP 3 cylinder model.<br /><br />No i guess either there is a mix up with the serial numbers or somebody changed the leg/transom mount before i bought the engine.<br /><br />My question is: is the serial number stamped on the engine block somewhere? or anywhere other than the transom mount?

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

Originally posted by JeremyNeale:<br /><br />My question is: is the serial number stamped on the engine block somewhere? or anywhere other than the transom mount?[/QB]

Typicly - Yes. But I don't know exactly where on the four. Try on the intake (starboard) side of the block. <br /><br />-W

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

Jeremy<br /><br />You're right, It does cross to a 86 3 cylinder. Look for the number stamped on the powerhead. Does this appear to be in the area of a 80's motor or could it be in the mid to late 70's?<br /><br />500 (50,0) 9195686 - 1978 4 cyl

 

[freddy1001]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

Thanks *uNIcORN.<br />Yes that pic is the same motor as I have. Mine is 805*, made in Australia.<br /><br />Mine is currently in far worse looking condition than yours. I just bought it last week. The engne cover is very faded, there is a little rust on various bits and pieces, and it generally looks well used. But the price was right, so I can afford to spend a bit fixing it up.<br /><br />It is on a 1980's year 4.7m (15.5') fibreglass runabout.<br /><br />A lot of the internal wiring has perished insulation, ie the insulation is starting to crack and fall off if touched or moved. The motor was running very rough and missing often, I traced it to a breakdown of insulation to earth on one of the CDI leads i think ??<br /><br />Also the bottom carby is leaking A LOT of fuel. Does each carby service 2 cyls ? This could explain the rough idle.<br /><br />I have not had the boat in the water yet, dont trust the motor. <br /><br />I have ordered a service manual now, and will start rewiring as needed.<br /><br />Might have some questions for the experienced tinkerers here.<br /><br />Cheers and thanks.

 

[freddy1001]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

OKay, have done some searching here.<br />Seems I may have a needle valve sticking. So I will remove the carb and overhaul. Any tricks to removing the carb ? Seems a little tight in there.<br /><br />When I squeeze the bulb I get HEAPS of fuel pouring out the bottom carb.<br /><br />I am pretty good mechanically, but have never done any work on an outboard motor b4. My expertise is electricals.<br /><br />Cheers for Oz.

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

rdmcphe<br />Does your 80 1/2 look like the pic I posted ?<br /><br />Freddie<br /><br />Your corroded wiring can be carefully stripped back and new Auto or Marine wire soldered and crimped. Worked for me. Don't be disuaded by the appearance of the motor, as long as the compression is good and the waterpump has been changed recently, and your carbs are clean and adjusted, it will serve you well.<br />You may find some salt water leakage aroung the top and second sparkplug. This is not considered real serious, as it is coming from the water cover rather than the head. If you have this problem, search iboats, as there is a lot posted about this Merc problem.<br />Keep posting on iboats, as there are some real good Merc people on here, who will help you with just about everything.<br />BTW What part of OZ ??

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

This chart is as rare as a Unicorn itself...<br /><br />For 50HP Mercury<br /> http://www.dougrussell.com/partscatalog/images/MERMAR/74962/43.gif <br />85 HP 4 CYL<br /> http://www.dougrussell.com/partscatalog/images/MERMAR/63271/40.gif

 

[rdmcphe]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

>rdmcphe<br />>Does your 80 1/2 look like the pic I posted ?<br /><br />Yes. Mine looks just like your photo. I was out fishing with it today. It is running great.

 

[Raser]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

I'm replying to this thread because I'm about to buy a 1963 Mercury 500 and I'm looking for advice.<br /><br />The owner seems to be a collector of old outboards. He says this motor had sat unused on a boat for many years and has 140 compression. It's the white engine with both electric and manual start with a short shaft. <br /><br />He's e-mailed me pictures and it looks okay. The fuel hoses have white paint on them which I'm figuring could be from the factory?????? The exterior of the engine looks like you would expect for a 40 year old motor (paint flaking a bit here and there) so if it wasn't used much it surely wasn't stored inside.<br /><br />Assuming I can run a compression test on it and it turns out to be somewhere near 140 is this motor worth $250? If I can't run a compression test should I buy it anyway? <br /><br />I plan on putting the engine on a 1959 Glasspar G3.

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

They are rare here in OZ and I would buy it for sure.<br />Put up a new post and ask Clams.. He has one very similar,(but bigger) and knows lots about them.<br /> http://thebayguide.com/rec.boats/photos/canino_02.jpg <br />BTW Would like to see those pics... <br />andrewkafp@yahoo.com.au<br /><br /> http://www.oldmercs.com/196263merc500.htm

 

[freddy1001]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

I am in Sydney.<br /><br />I will remove all the wiring back to the socket at the side of the engine housing. 4 x small wires (2.5mm), and 2 big ones (16mm). They are perished all the way so need to be completely replaced. Not sure how to remove the socket from the housing, seems to be 2 bolts in the top, maybe some sort of clamp ??<br /><br />A couple of the CDI wires are also pretty poor condition.<br /><br />What is the best place in Sydney to pick up a carby kit ? I have been quoted AU$160 each kit.<br /><br />I have noticed that the serial number on the silver plug in the engine is different to the number on the transom plate. Is this normal. The engine plug number starts with a 7.

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: 50 hp Mercury - what year is it?

Freddy<br /><br />I am in Melbourne.. but there are probably more places in NSW to get parts. Should have no problem with carb kit..<br />Do you have integral fuel pumps on the sides of the carbs ? Or a seperate one ? <br />You can find lists here.<br />http://www.dougrussell.com/partscatalog/collections/index.cfm?fus eaction=serials&colid=01&coldesc=500%2C%2050<br />The number on the plug is not the S/N of the motor. The only place you will find it is on the bracket.<br />BTW Don't forget to service the waterpump...