Old Merc Super 5, need technical info

[mikeyzx2]

Hey ya'll got a Merc Super 5, 1949 model year according to serial #. Anyways she seems to be in fair shape for being almost 60 years old, but I know nothing about these old motors so I have some questions:<br />Is it direct drive, meaning no shifting? I'm 99.9% positive it is since there's no linkage. <br /><br />How do I get the darn flywheel nut off since I don't have the tool that fits it? <br /><br />How do I get the brass nose cone off the shaft to remove the prop and inspect the waterpump and gears?<br /><br />And although according to the OldMercs website this serial number uses the Scintilla coil, but the flywheel has R.E. Phelon stamped on it, and other motors also use the Phelon coil.<br /><br />Any other info would be priceless......Mike

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Old Merc Super 5, need technical info

Hi Mikey,<br /> Welcome to the world of old green mercs, where nothing is set in stone (according to any books or lists you may find). <br /> The magneto could be either or - there wasn't much rhyme or reason to which motors got which, and it's also possible it was swapped out at some point - not difficult if you've got the parts to do it. All things being equal, I'd rather have the Phelon magneto anyway, so you're ahead of the curve that much. The Phelons are a more reliable system, hotter spark, cheaper replacement parts, and more readily available replacement parts.<br /> Flywheel nut - BEST thing to do is to take a 18-inch x 1/2-inch piece of aluminum bar stock, perhaps 3/4-inch wider than the nut, and cut a hole in one end (again leaving 3/4-inc from the end) in the shape of the nut. You'll basically be making a closed-end wrench for the flywheel nut. The more common thing to do is to wrap the nut in a rag and use a pipe wrench. The rag helps keep the nut from getting buggered up, as it also acts as the catch for the recoil.<br /> Yes, your motor is direct drive. You might be able to make up a tool to remove the rear WP cover using the holes in the cover. Or, I've used a flat punch, same diameter as the holes, held parallel to the propshaft and then using a long screwdriver as a lever I've unscrewed the cap that way. Seems to me it was a reverse thread, but I'm not 100% certain off the top of my head. If there's any threads visible you should be able to tell one way or the other. The manual will help on this one (1965 and Prior Mercury Service Manual availabel from OldMercs.com).<br /> At 7.2 cui, it was a little powerhouse and will run circles around most other 5hp motors... Run it on a steady diet of 24:1 fuel/oil using regular pump gas (87 or 89 is fine)...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: Old Merc Super 5, need technical info

Thanks Scott, especially on the oil info. You know you're going old school when it's using "Aeromarine" oil. OldMercs.com is a pretty good site I've been exploring it for around a week now. As far as the ingnition I see what you mean cause although the part# is for the Scintilla, looking at the others they were available for different models and overlapped some. They make a socket for the flywheel, but it's like 27 bucks and made of bronze. Would be cool to make up a little tool set for the motor though for nostalgia. I'll see what I can do with the cover for waterpump, first thing I thought is I need a spanner wrench. Not a whole lot I can do w/o any books, which is why we recommend them to everyone on here....thanks for the help!<br /><br />Mike