Was this a steal on this classic?

[AlwaysTradinOutboards]

I ran an ad on a local website looking to buy a few old motors (I just tinker with them as a hobby). A guy replies telling me he had what he thought was a early 70's model merc 50 horse 4 cyl. After seeing it I realized it could be a good parts donor for my 77 Merc 50 Horse Thunderbolt. He also shoots me a price of 20 bucks I'm thinking WOW what a deal. He said it was only missing the prop and external wiring harness. So I go to pick it up this evening. It's laying in the back of a pickup truck and all I can see is the lower unit. Glancing at it I thought "now that's not from a 70's 4 cylinder". He starts to remove the debris from around the motor and there lays a Mercury Mark 58E Super Thunderbolt. On one hand I'm kinda bummed that it wont work as a parts donor but man I think this was a steal. I can't run the motor in mu homestate of Mo because the motor didn't have a title, but I think I will restore it anyway just because it's a true part of Boating history. It's in fairly decent condition given the age and is surely a good restoration project, Wouldn't you restore it so the motor could have it's 50th anniversary in style?

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Was this a steal on this classic?

Can you get a title with a bill of sale if the motor is from a time before titles were issued?

 

[diaric]

Re: Was this a steal on this classic?

sounds like a good deal. hope the inards are sound. i'll give you $25 plus shipping, we don't need titles... just kidding.. good luck on the project

 

[AlwaysTradinOutboards]

Re: Was this a steal on this classic?

I'm not real sure on that one rickrster. I'll have to check with the DMV to see how the law reads on that. I would sure like to get a title so I could run this thing on the local lakes. Sure would be neat. As for the motor being mechanically sound, It's hard to say I know it's not locked up but that's about it. When I picked it up it was nearly dark and raining. I just hurried home and put it in the garage. Morning will tell the story when I start tinkering with it. Worst case scenario is having bad compression or something like that. Even if for some reason the motor never runs again it's still gonna look cool setting in the garage.

 

[diaric]

Re: Was this a steal on this classic?

hopefully its got some good compression and you can go from there.
these guys have some parts for the old models, good luck
http://www.oldmercs.com/Mark58.htm

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Was this a steal on this classic?

One decent part off it and Ebay will have your money back quick. Ya got a steal..