68 Merc 200

[Home Cookin']

Re: 68 Merc 200

good job on your restoration. Here are a couple of points from my experience (1972 Merc 200):
I cringed at your frist photo. never let a motor sit on its back. If you let it sit like that for any length of time it could lock up.

My wiring lost a lot of its insulation. At one point, I stalled on accelration, and my mechanic and I just knew it ws fuel path, but it turns out, a frayed wire was grounding out when it moved when the motor advanced.

Mine squirted a lot of gas out on the prime; apparently some is OK and you can't flood those motors, but then there's too much such as from a crack.

I ahve an old manual and will see if it covers your motor; if so I'll email you one.

 

[Arkman]

Re: 68 Merc 200

Thanks for the tips home cookin. I didn't know that it was bad for them to sit like that. I shouldn't have to worry now, because it will be attached to a boat from now on. But I'll have to tell my father in law. His sits like that all winter.

I'll keep an eye on the wiring. I looked the best I could and see no issues, but that doesn't mean they wont come Since I replaced my fuel line most of my fuel coming out is gone now I just get a tiny drop if I prime too much. So far I think my running problem was a fuel issue. I clean the carb and replaced the exterior fuel line and both internal fuel lines and now it runs like a champ. Lets hope it stays that way.

Thanks again!

 

[Arkman]

Re: 68 Merc 200

Well, I just ordered the seal kit. We'll see how that goes. I have all next week after work to tinker with it. I'd like to have it up and running by the 4th. Shouldn't be too hard.

 

[Arkman]

Re: 68 Merc 200

Hey JGra-
Any chance you can tell me what gauge wire you used in your harness. I would imagine that the batteries cables are one size and the ignition wires/choke wires are another. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[JGra]

Re: 68 Merc 200

I used mostly 12 and 14 ga wire for the harness to the eng and switches. I have not forgot about you. I have been trying to get it ready to take it out for the first time this weekend. Had a issue over the weekend. I could not get it to start. After a day of checking everything I found out ther was water in my fuel and had to take carb apart and give it a good cleaning. Cranks right up now. I got the lower seal kit in and replaced the prop shaft seals and that leak has seemed to stop for the moment. You said you think you have most of the starter circut wiring there, If so you should be able to run your battery cables and then jump your starter soliniod to see if the starter spins.

 

[Arkman]

Re: 68 Merc 200

Hi JGra-
Oh I wasn't worried that you forgot. I'm not in too much of a hurry. I was just looking at your photo and noticed maybe why I was having trouble understanding what you are talking about. I took your photo and added something. Hope you dont mind. In the photo I added an arrow. At that location I have a little plug with a bunch of pins. Thats the internal wiring harness (I attached a photo of what that looks like too. All you can see from the outside is the round part with pins). It looks like you have your wires coming out a different spot. But i can tell for sure. Am I correct in that?

I hope that makes sense. I will try to take some photos tonight and post them of what I mean.

Josh

 

[JGra]

Re: 68 Merc 200

I dont mind, I dont have anything coming out of my moter in that location with any pins. My wires come out right under the tiller handle. I got my motor already wired. It might have been converted by the previous owner to a electric start. From what you describe you should only need the external harness to make it work. You may even be able to take the drawings I sent you to tell what each pin does and make your own. To do it the way mine is you would have to rip out the internal harness which would be a shame to do. I will see what I can come up on finding some parts numbers

 

[Arkman]

Re: 68 Merc 200

Well, I think I have found something that will work for the connectors. I have to do some more research but I think if I use barrel/bullet terminal connectors that should give me what I need to make my own wiring harness. I am a little concerned that i wont be able to find one big enough for the battery cable pin. I'd like to keep that harness inside intact, like you said, it would be a shame to take it out. So if I can't fashion something myself I might just have to buy one on ebay if I can find one.

 

[Arkman]

Re: 68 Merc 200

Well, seal kit should be here this afternoon. Too bad that I don't have time to work on it tonight. Stupid LEED exam! I'll be studying till monday afternoon, then, on to the boat again! Any one have any suggestions of what I need to do. I have a couple different service manuals but I thought I would check to see if there are any tips or trick to getting that thing apart and replacing all the seals.


P.S. does anyone else have issue with the forums being incredibly slow the last day or so?

 

[Arkman]

Re: 68 Merc 200

Well, passed the test. Now on to more important things! The boat! I'm going to start tonight...right now I have a few things to do on the interior of the boat before I get going on the motor. Hopefully it will be done by this weekend.

 

[Arkman]

Re: 68 Merc 200

I was at my grandpas house and got to try out his motor last week. Its like an 71 merc 200. Just about the same as mine. I noticed that when you turn (tiller handle style) it turns 100x easier then mine. Is there a place to adjust/lubricate that so it turns a lot easier? Mine you have to muscle actually a lot to get it to turn.