How do I remove the top of the cowl

[xGH0ZTx]

I have a 1969 merc 65hp outboard. I can remove the faceplate and side cowl easily enough but am not sure the correct procedure to take off the top of it.
This model has a pull start and choke pull coming out or through the top piece.

Really don't want to ruin anything if there is a simple trick to it.
Thanks for any help you can lend...

 

[duhmey]

Re: How do I remove the top of the cowl

My motor, granted it is a '59 merc, has a screw to remove the face plate and two clips to remove the side cowl, sounds like you have gotten this far already. Then there are 4 bolts under the top cowl that I need to remove in order to take the top off. Took me forever and a few questions before I found out how to do it but once I knew that it was bolted on I was able to locate the bolts really easily.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: How do I remove the top of the cowl

They are a pain but that's how it comes off. Get a mirror and look up under it and you will see them. Good news was that later on Merc went to a single snap lever in front and taking the top off was a walk in the park. I've had em both ways and now, with the plastic one piece, it's one lever in the rear and the whole shebang is off.

HTH,

Mark

 

[xGH0ZTx]

Re: How do I remove the top of the cowl

thanks guys that is sort of what I figured. I just wanted to be sure.

 

[79Merc80]

Re: How do I remove the top of the cowl

I thought that 1967/68 was the year they did away with the screws and went to the clamps. Knob on the bottom of the face plate, latches on the wrap around, and latch on the front of the top cowl.

Craig

 

[xGH0ZTx]

Re: How do I remove the top of the cowl

I had to remove 4 bolts along with unlinking the choke pull and a wire that I am not sure of...

With all that unhooked or removed I put on the lift ring and took the engine off the boat for the season

 

[duhmey]

Re: How do I remove the top of the cowl

79merc, I think I read somewhere that merc. switched to the new cowl set up in or around '69 as well, starting with the electric starts; the pull start motors were modified shortly there after...I'm almost certain that is what I read...ooooooor I could be waaaaaay off

 

[duhmey]

Re: How do I remove the top of the cowl

http://forums.iboats.com/member.php?u=298341xGHOZTx, glad you figured it out, totes forgot about the choke cable. If your cowl was like mine one of the front bolts was a real bugger...

 

[rivermouse]

Re: How do I remove the top of the cowl

http://forums.iboats.com/member.php?u=298341xGHOZTx, glad you figured it out, totes forgot about the choke cable. If your cowl was like mine one of the front bolts was a real bugger...

That hard to remove nut is the one located above the starter on my 60 model. A small open ended 7/16 will work but slowly. The wire should be going to the electric choke. There are rear spacers in the rear that can drop off when you remove the top. I may suggest that after removing the top it is the right time to inspect closely the condition of the recoil and rope.