cooling question mercury 650

[dungbeetle46]

Hi, new here and I have a problem

Just bought a hartley 18ft cruiser with 1963 mercury 650 outboard.

Motor seems to run fine but the water comin out of pee hole is very low pressure, taking a closer look it has water coming out down the bottom where the rod goes down for engine lock, any ideas why this is.
thanks in advance

 

[dungbeetle46]

Re: cooling question mercury 650

anyone?

 

[Yachtzee]

Re: cooling question mercury 650

I have several early and mid 60s 650s. A couple of things to think about.
First when you say water is coming out the bottom, do you mean the bottom of the cowling around the engine or the lower unit? Low pressure from the teltale can mean a worn impeller, they need to be changed periodically especally if the motor has sat unused for a long time.

If water is comng out the cowling, maybe you have a split hose from the teltale to the fitting on the block.

Or, possibly the low pressure and the leak is the water jacket cover over the exhaust is leaking. I have three of these motors and all three have had holes eaten clear through the exhaust cover. I ran the one for a long time with water squiting out of it and it never seemed to do any harm. However, one other one had a hole eaten not just through the outer cover but straight through the inner jacket too. It was squirting water straight into the exhaust port of #4 cylinder.

The bolts that hold the cover on are dang near impossible to get out without breaking.

If you find a leak ther let me know I'll tell you how I fixed up mine.

 

[dungbeetle46]

Re: cooling question mercury 650

thanks yachtzee, the water leaking is comig from the transom end of the join between the lower leg and above, I think this is called the cavitation plate, there is a small rubber seal here where a rod comes out and moves the lever that locks the motor in the full down position, it seems to be leaking somewhere near that, is the water hose near there and could it be as simple as a hose has come loose or has a hole in it, I dont have a service manual and cant find one in Australia so dropping the lower leg off is scaring me.