62 Merc Wiring Question

[zeeboat]

I have a 62 Merc 70 HP inline 6 with 2 Ignition coils. The engine is hard to start, idles rough but has great acceleration and does not miss at HI RPM. I wanted to check my points but after I removed the 2 screws holding the Dist Cap, the cap would not come apart. I am afraid of breaking this old dog if I use too much force. How do you remove the cap so I can check the points and the GAP? Also it looks like no one has done any work on this for 20 years and the wiring does not come apart easily. For instance, the plug wires do not pull out of the Dist Cap. And they don't want to twist either. I think they are screw on but it looks like if I use too much force I will break something that is not broken. Ay adice would be great.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: 62 Merc Wiring Question

Check to make sure that there are not more than 2 screws holding the cap. Also you need to pull off the carbon brush that's in the side of the cap. Leave the wires on the cap alone.<br /><br />The rotor then pulls straight down, but could be very stuck.<br /><br />I **trust** you have the 1965 and prior Merc Manual. If you don't STOP and get it. Those old ones are kinda strange and by no means intuitive.<br /><br />-W

 

[zeeboat]

Re: 62 Merc Wiring Question

Why do I have to remove the brush first? Will removing the cap forcibly crack the brush? With the 2 screws out, the cap drops about 1/4 inch and just wobbles. Something else is keeping it on - could it be the rotor? <br /><br />I loosened 2 screws out on the brush, took them out and the brush assembly would not budge, almost like it is glued on! So I did not fight with it.<br /><br />Am I wasting my time looking at the points? If the motor has great 2000-4000 RPMS would that be impossible if the points were bad? I have a feeling that at hi rpm points are not really important and even two bad pieces of metal will work well.

 

[PMLANEY]

Re: 62 Merc Wiring Question

Zeeboat,<br /><br />I have the same motor. The side brush needs to be removed due to the style of rotor inside. You might damage the rotor, cap or brush.<br /><br />Also, the wires are threaded into the cap. The wires in my cap were pretty tight due to corrosion when i did some work.<br /><br /> good luck... bubs

 

[zeeboat]

Re: 62 Merc Wiring Question

Thanks - you were right - brush came out with a little persuasion and presto - the dist cap fell off. Much to my surprise there are no points under it. Where are the points? I won't be getting a manual for a couple of weeks. Are they above the dist cap in the little 4 screw box above the cap? Is it worth going up there? I tightened the carbs down (a little loose) and am cleaning them now - cleaning the jets. <br /><br />You know what you are talking about - <br />byt the way how does your 70 hp Merc run?

 

[Laddies]

Re: 62 Merc Wiring Question

You cannot set the points properly without a dwell plate so if it ran alright at top end best it's left alone, to set the points properly you must have a manual and the tools required or when finished it will run worse then when you started--Bob Done that, been there many years ago, not to proud of it though

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: 62 Merc Wiring Question

Mine is an 80hp Merc. It ran great till I left it back in NH, I still need to pick it up sometime. It's totally fogged and prolly destined for life as a static display in my shop.<br />(unless I find a Hydrostream VooDoo)<br /><br />Yes they are up there.. Don't go up there without a manual and the right tools. I personally don't consider that duel point setup very "user sevicable" at all. <br /><br />And beware once you do get them set up, you need to go back and re-check the link and synch, particularly max-advance (34 in your case)<br /><br />The low speed issues might just be link 'n synch or the idle screws - not the points at all. That outboard survived over 40 years, remember that when putting tools to it. <br /><br />-W<br /><br /><br />-W

 

[zeeboat]

Re: 62 Merc Wiring Question

My dist. cap came off easily once I removed the brush bracket. Actually fell off with no force. I could see how others in the past tried to get the cap off without removing the brush and they cracked a bit of plactic off the rotor collar. Not enough to damage it. It looks all good - so I am going to put it all back and concentrate on the carbs. By the way, here is a fantastic link to an excellent resource for old merc manuals. There are actual pages from the manuals posted here. <br /> http://www.maxrules.com/fixoldmercindex.html <br />It's not a link to buy either. The old pages are really there - quite a bit but not the whole manuals. Enough stuff on tuneups and the like. I have to say this iBoat forum saved me some money - otherwise I might have wrecked my engine without the caution recommended here.<br /><br />I am really amazed at how good this engine looks - I will post a picture if I can. After 50 years it looks almost new. It puts to shame some 10 yo motors I have seen. Just want to get it to idle nice, I am not going to enter any races with this.

 

[PMLANEY]

Re: 62 Merc Wiring Question

Zeeboat,<br /><br /> My 70 runs fairly well. A bit cold blooded on the start but after that, does OK. I do notice a bit of a miss at higher RPMs but that is about it.<br /><br />I have had this 3 years. I noticed my dist. cap is corroded at the terminals on the inside. So I am planning to replace it this winter,($100.00). Along with the water impeller and lower end oil seal.<br /><br />Otherwise can't complain. Let me know how you come out with the cap<br /><br />Bubs

 

[zeeboat]

Re: 62 Merc Wiring Question

More info: upon closer examination of the engine and fuel system. <br /><br />The engine starts and runs real rough on idle but screams at hi rpm. Then after 20 minutes of idling - she stalls and I can't get it restarted. If I wait 20 minutes - she restarts. Weird. So I thought it might be the fuel delivery. I took apart the tank and noticed that the draw tube was ready to fall off. This is the tube with the inlet screen inside the gas tank. This is the original Merc Tank with the Kiekhaefer name on it. I tefloned it and screwed i back on tight. Then I checked the wires for continuity and found 2 out of six were completely open. No amount of wiggling could get them to connect permanently - so I split the boot on the spark plug since if I pressed hard there, I could get a connection. Then I reseated the spark plug connection into a fresh spot on the wire and now I have 6 good plug wires. I will test the engine tomorrow to see if this helps. running on 4 cylinders with 2 cylinders arcing a connection would explain the rough idle. It's only 40 degrees here tonight and tomorrow is supposed to be warmer in Michigan so it will be a better night to test the boat. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: 62 Merc Wiring Question

Keep us posted. Idling for 20 minutes will load up and flood many a Tower, not just yours.<br /><br />-W

 

[zeeboat]

Re: 62 Merc Wiring Question

Here is a picture of the engine:

<br />I test ran it today and after I fixed the 2 plug wires - this motor PURRS. Amazing. Starts, stops. Then starts again, doesn't stall under a water load. It runs like it is brand new. The flooding and unable to restart problem has vanished. Next on my list is to replace the seal in the lower unit. It runs like a sewing machine and I can lower the idle to 400 rpm and she still runs! Man did I get a deal on this engine and boat. Thanks for all your help. I could not have done it without you guys. I owe you millions. Let you know when I win the Lotto! Thanks