It's Become a Sickness ("New" Merc Mark 10)

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Ok, so it's officially become an epidemic, OOMD (Old Outboard Motor Disease) is spreading! I posted a wanted ad on craigslist a couple of weeks ago for old OMCs. I got a ton of responses and I've been checking them out as time has allowed. I've ended up buying a couple of 'em too. I had one response from a guy that had what he thought was a '60s Mercury 10hp. I put off checking it out based on what I had read in various books warning about these old Mercs and what a nightmare they can be to work on. Well I went to look at it yesterday...and long story short...I now own a '57-'58 Mercury Mark 10.

I had it in my head that I was going to look it over then politely decline the purchase. Once I got there though (with my poker face on) the seller asked me to just offer SOMETHING! I pulled the chord and heard a good thunk-thunk, checked the lower unit for cracks (none), and made sure that crazy transmission was working properly (it did). I made him an offer that he accepted and now I have to figure out how to work on this thing. I was able to get the I.D. on the motor with the expertise of AMD Rules in a previous thread. Thanks again!

So here's what I got for $100 - motor, tank & stand.

Overall it's in really good shape!

Somebody decided to paint it black somewhere along the way. I can only assume it was an attempt to make it look more modern. You can see the original hood color between the lines of the 'R'.

The inside of the cowling has most of it's original "sunset orange" left.

L/U is intact with no cracks. I've heard this was one of the weak points of the old Mercurys. Originally the lower was painted "sand tan. Not sure what color the prop was.

More to follow.

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: It's Become a Sickness ("New" Merc Mark 10)

Pictures Continued:

Here's a picture of the "dyna float" mechanism. According to Peter Hunn's book there were rubber bushings that provided some sort of suspension.

I pulled the cowling off and nothing seems to be missing (I hope). I'm not sure what color the block was originally.

The clear plastic emblem cover is damaged on one side, but the emblem itself seems to have survived the hack paint job.

It looks like something heavy fell on the handle of the gas tank at some point and caved the top in quite a bit. I also wasn't able to open the tank. Is there a trick I don't know about?

So now I own it and it's in line to be repaired. Any initial input is greatly appreciated.

BOB

 

["G"]

Re: It's Become a Sickness ("New" Merc Mark 10)

Wiz-
Aren't these old Mercs a ball to work on? I loved them.. they had their own peculiarities (automatic tranny's being one of them) but my oh my were they fun to make run. They were painted white back then and some were a salmon color (not sure on color and vintage). Sounds like yours had compression but that's #1 to figure out. #2 is the lower unit should be free of water. After that, you're in business. Parts shouldn't be to terrible to find. I recall these old tanks were tricky but don't recall the opening being onerous. You can see there is a hinge on one part of the handle I wonder if the latch or lid is stuck. Try pushing down on the handle when pulling the latch. If the latch seems to move freely, the lid gasket most likely is stuck.
Good luck!

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: It's Become a Sickness ("New" Merc Mark 10)

Hi G - Thanks for the response! I actually have never worked on an old Mercury and I'm a little intimidated based on what I've read in a few different books. I'll give it a shot though. Right now this motor is at the back of the line though as I went on somewhat of a motor buying binge recently. It definitely does have compression though and I'll change the lower's fluid to make sure no water is present before starting work on it.

Eventually I'd like to fully restore it to original condition, but we'll see how that goes.

BOB

 

["G"]

Re: It's Become a Sickness ("New" Merc Mark 10)

Bob,
Back a number of years ago these mark engines were the rage. I have a friend who has a 6 horse and it runs so sweet it's hard not to enjoy.

We had to do some shaft repairs because of seal wear but even today that motor gets a lot of comment for how good it runs and looks.

Good luck with yours and enjoy the bragging rights once it's pretty as a new penny.

"G"