Year and info on Merc 1000?

[Caddy_Kid]

I just purchased a 1970 16' Stevens boat (my first fiberglass) with a Merc 1000 motor on it. I was told that the motor was of early 70's vintage and not origional to the boat since the gauges arent hooked up and all say OMC on them.

Anyway, it came with a Clymer manual which isn't much help on figuring out the year. I would normally just look up the serial number, but oddly enough, that plate has been removed. Was the number stamped anyplace else? Here are a couple pics (click for larger picture):





The motor is black with gold lettering and stripes. Also, where would be a good place to buy a factory shop manual (no after markets) and maybe a replacement decal once we figure out what year it is? Thanks.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Year and info on Merc 1000?

The never made a Merc 1000 in the 70's. <br /><br />That particular Tower of Power is of the 1963-1965 vintage. '63-'65 are all the same parts. It has the old duel point breaker ignition. It has an 89ci powerhead.<br /><br />Merc has an over the counter "1965 and prior" manual you can get. You can ask questions here too after you get the manual. Assumin git's all there and properly set-up and tuned, it's a great outboard.<br /><br />-W

 

[Caddy_Kid]

Re: Year and info on Merc 1000?

Yeah, after the little bit of research I was able to do, I did figure out that it was impossible for it to be out of the 70's. Which means I have a Clymer manual to sell!<br /><br />As far as the motor goes, it has a new to it lower unit and water pump as of last year, courtesy of a local marina that I take all of my Mercs to. Good place, the owner always says "Oh yea, I learned on these when they were new, no problem." So thats all set. The previous owner fired it up, ran it in foward, neutral and reverse, so thats all working. I would like to do the dreded compression test this weekend and with any luck confirm that it is a good one!<br /><br />The decals are a bit worn, and the plastic one on the cover is broken off. Is there any place to get new ones? Thanks.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Year and info on Merc 1000?

With the shift cables inside the cowl it's a 1965 the 64 and prior were on the outside, I'm with clams they were great engines and there are alot of them still running around here--Bob

 

[Caddy_Kid]

Re: Year and info on Merc 1000?

Great, thats pretty cool to get it dialed down to a specific year without the serial number!<br /><br />I love the older mercs and have had many of them. I have a great Merc 800 direct drive counter rotation one in my garage off of my 14' wooden Rinell that I just couldnt sell with the boat. Its waiting for its new home one of these days. Strong runner and would hit 37 MPH on calm water, which in our high desert climate isnt bad!<br /><br />The previous owner of the Stevens said that it would hit a little over 40, which isnt bad. Heavier boat I'm sure. Thanks for the info, I'll let you know how the compression test goes.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Year and info on Merc 1000?

Originally posted by Laddies:<br /> With the shift cables inside the cowl it's a 1965 the 64 and prior were on the outside, I'm with clams they were great engines and there are alot of them still running around here--Bob

Nice catch Bob!! You're right of course, and it got right by me. <br /><br />-W

 

[Caddy_Kid]

Re: Year and info on Merc 1000?

Just got done checking compression, and its 100 all around, but #6 is at 105. Lousy compression, but hey, at least their all equal! The biggest problem that I ran into is that the #2 spark plug threads are trashed. Basically flat. It was only hand tight when I took it out (which is probably why it is the only plug there that isnt a new NGK). So my question is: what should the temp range and gap be for replacement plugs, and what should I do about the stripped threads? Use a thread chaser I imagine?<br /><br />Sorry its such a basic question, but I'm now on the hunt for a propper factory repair manual. Thanks.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Year and info on Merc 1000?

Decarb it with Mercury power tune and re-test. Compression is tolerable and non-indicitive of any "damage" other than normal wear and hopefully sitting.<br /><br />If chasing the threads does not work you'll have to helicoil #2 (or the equivilant).<br /><br />Use whatever the facotry plugs were - don;t be creative.<br /><br />-W

 

[Caddy_Kid]

Re: Year and info on Merc 1000?

Yeah, I hope not to have to use a helicoil as I have never used one before, just know the term. I'll try chasing the threads first and see how that goes.<br /><br />I'll call up a couple of marinas around here and chase down some correct factory plugs for it. At least the ones in there now arent platinum or something! I will try some chemical tune here once the weather warms up enough to thaw a hose for the ear muffs (might be awhile, its 25 right now...) Thanks.

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Year and info on Merc 1000?

The correct plugs for your M1000 are Champion J4C or equivalent such as Autolite 353.<br /><br />Regarding your stripped out hole, either Heli-coil repair or a K-D spark plug insert would work fine. The K-D kit is usually cheaper than the Helicoil kit but whichever you prefer.<br /><br />Either one is not hard to do, best way would be to have the motor on its 'back' so the chips don't fall into the cylinder. Use some grease on the tap to catch stray metal chips.<br /><br />HTH and congrats on your 'classic' find........ed

 

[Caddy_Kid]

Re: Year and info on Merc 1000?

Funny thing is, the plug that was in #2 was a champion J4C! All the others are an NGK B7S, which may or may not be equivilant. Unfortunatly my garage space is very tight and I cannot take the motor off the boat. I will try the grease idea and blow the cylinder out after I'm done. Sounds like a trip to the autoparts store! Thanks.

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Year and info on Merc 1000?

Use a vacuum to help with the chips. Suck out the cylinder afterwards with the vacuum, then crank the engine over without a spark plug in that cylinder. <br /><br />Doing so should help blow out any stray chips that might have found their way inside.