Mercury 20hp 1974ish?

[MyFirstSaphire]

Hi all.

I got tired waiting on my water pump for my 70 Chrysler to get here so got curious and bout another boat with a 20hp Mercury on it and the owner says it is about the same age as the boat 1974.

I pick up the machine on Saturday and was wondering if any of the knowledgeable members here could give me a heads up on what to check out on the motor.

The owner says it has a broken pull start but he has a spare motor to go with the deal.:facepalm:

 

[MyFirstSaphire]

Re: Mercury 20hp 1974ish?

I suppose the motor is just to old to be worth the attention?:grumpy:

 

[oldman570]

Re: Mercury 20hp 1974ish?

Without a working starter rope you cannot check the compression, and you have no way to know if the motor is any good at all or just another parts motor that can do nothing but set around in your way. In plane words, if the PO wants to give you the motors and you just buy the boat then I might consider it otherwise I would walk away with money in my pants till I found a motor that is running with good compression. JMO
Oldman570

 

[Yesterday]

Re: Mercury 20hp 1974ish?

check the lower unit lube color! it it's white, prepare for a battle!

 

[MyFirstSaphire]

Re: Mercury 20hp 1974ish?

check the lower unit lube color! it it's white, prepare for a battle!

Sounds like a good idea how would you suggest I do that?