Hello, I am new here but I am an old guy fixing boats in retirement. I have been restoring a 1958 McNeil wooden ski boat and I am on the final stages of the restore. The boat came with a 1959 Mercury Mark 78A on the back. My good friend is doing his best to repair the motor but he needs some help. I would like to get someone to work on it but I live in Georgia so that may be difficult. Does anyone know anything about the “Tower of Power” motor? I can send more photos on the boat and the motor if anyone is interested and prove that I am legit.
Have you talked with Joe Poole at Fergusson Poole in Atlanta area? If you do not already have Mercury Service Manual for 1965 and Prior Models and Mercury Parts Manual for your model and serial number. The service manuals ar around used, some dealers sell online printouts,
Serious work on the biig mercs is not for everyone
Thanks for the interest. I do have a manual and a seperate parts manual I got off eBay. It all looks overwhelming to me. I am hoping my friend will help figuring things out. We got the key controls to work and the solenoids work as expected. This motor has only a forward and reverse mode so we removed the propellor so the test water tank will hold it.
The 1958 McNeil wooden ski boat that the motor is going on. I added the windshield and original bemini that is not in the photo
Nice boat! You probably know that your big Merc is not so effectually known as the “Dockbuster”! I would hate to see that pretty boat with a boo-boo on it’s bow!
The 1958 McNeil wooden ski boat that the motor is going on. I added the windshield and original bemini that is not in the photo
Nice boat! You probably know that your big Merc is not so effectually known as the “Dockbuster”! I would hate to see that pretty boat with a boo-boo on it’s bow!
dale
Yes, LOL I have heard that about the motor. It scares me to death but I still would like to see it run again with “Dockbuster” on it. We have a plan if we can get it to run. I have another boat and I plan on towing the boat out to the middle of Lake Lanier and start the motor there. I have spent my last 6 months fixing up my boat. I would hate a boo-boo too
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