50HP Merc 1975?

[domdrum]

Hello,
I have a 50 HP Mercury, 4 cylinder from the ’70s that needs a home. Does anyone know how much this is worth? It runs great and has a new prop. It’s been in the basement for some time now and I’m sure someone can use it. I appreciate any help.
Best,
Dom

[fleetwin]

Hard to say how much it is worth…Usually, old outboards aren’t worth all that much. It looks like you have the controls/harness for it also, which is a plus. You probably won’t get much more than a couple hundred bucks for it, unless you can show it running. These are great old engines for sure, but they just don’t command alot of money. Where are you located? Maybe a member in your area might be interested…

[billw]

Since you asked on the Antique Outboard website, my first opinion would be as a collector. As an antique, your engine is too new to be old and too old to be new. I don’t know of many people that are interested in these engines as antiques; and if there are any, they won’t be looking to pay much. They will already have 100 motors in their basements! Another couple of thoughts: It may have run well when put away. However, you say “It has been in the basement for some time, now.” Depending on how long that time is, it may need a carburetor cleaning, due to the gasoline inside them going bad and may, in fact, not run right, now. Also, that engine is right on the edge of whether it had stainless steel shafts in the lower unit, or not. Some 1975s had them, some didn’t. I don’t know about yours. This seemingly small difference is HUGE, in terms of longevity; and in my opinion, would be a make or break in whether I would consider buying it or not. If I were you, I would try to sell it on Craigslist or Facebook market place, starting at $300 and see if that gets you anyplace. Fleetwin’s price range is probably more realistic.

Edit: I will say this, though: When those engines are running right, they are some of the best-running, two-stroke engines ever made.

Long live American manufacturing!

• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by billw.

[crosbyman]

I had one of those years ago and eventually migrated to a cousin… the Classic50 (45hp) What a great engine both of them were. they provided years of enjoyment to the family and fishing buddies .

I always pampered them with car wax and Mercury black paint on any scratches that showed up.. IMHO You pictures show lot of neglect which could discourage buyers to whip out the big $$$

That does not mean the innards are bad if you oiled it properly and if the electricals are ok.

If it was mine to sell …..I would tape up the blue bands, name and chromes then prep and spray paint the cowl (Merc Black only) . give the lower end above the gear case a good compound rub and and car wax

the gear case would get a good prep & a coat of Mercury black ( the real stuff from Merc)

clean up the cables , carbs may need some help…but you are not handy try an engine cleaner in the gas (no spray stuff which does nothing)

if it runs great I would start at $750CDN …600 U$ minimum …

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by crosbyman.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by crosbyman.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by crosbyman.

[need2fish]

I think the the defining problem with a motor that age may be wiring and ignition. That era of Mercs is known for rotten wiring — not hard to fix, but may stand in the way of a sale. I suspect 1970s had CD ignition, which may or may not have survived — don’t take the owner’s word that his “runs great” is the same as your “runs great”. Luckily, there will be no distributor.

[crosbyman]

my only issue on the early one got to be the power pack +400$ in those days but now good or bad I saw some on ebay fro much cheaper

https://www.cafr.ebay.ca/itm/274685160982?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item3ff482ee16:g:7OgAAOSwappgKvsi&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACkBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkY3FSd4Ad8xn3oRtkVexxrJCFJq85RbANpbOzZ9YRYW7bj%252FFLm%252Bn2E77Kg9mvMFaOwhJcIluLBVf0omBkxcJtnF34R1j4h2WdYmPE2a%252BiHufJjerzOP6QITCznJBHxNfU23qQ32MhuGXnEf0H%252F026vkI6Q4TqdA8eoxjs8vsFjEsde8ADntAmzZOcxIb9nBfrGylGGRkVotX7E5WfKprg5YujJyKirIAWZ%252FKsk8jscJYfNoiLc2UWoypubNkwcMrNVRZll34KGRqkxzH3UjDHy6Tz3KdrFleQOYLGF6%252FtuQjpN1Cn%252BokAycOznx%252BbQjyY8ooDToqCtVVPa1oLKIbsYQ%252FeO1%252B5dIyubfzwJom0XFn9mRyUGp8qTU%252FY1tp5zd6177bJPS9DWNWv57Z1xQruqx2%252F3tYxKr2oxtL2BtF1mrRm6dOjq9soK6JAKx%252B6UtBLElP92zFGL0N240twQ3qWsB8TP0WQTdSwY8eUke6Vki81jaoJbSTvncf1HNyBJFphPfa8cPCA7oCd13ME5mzc9foTYuAl7hIaAhkqtgEqpxHNZirRLIZdtFRoHkWJ3wxYNkbqyUj1WVCxyR1EXpgimKpq1B4%252BT6zxaQWwgW%252FToo55DDP%252B2W8ii4OCelnPvLQoD53bKUNPIqFKZUxU5%252FI2ARvYLYXvwglCgKQGbd9KDDioS3biOnKE47weX07px1rQAzRJl5xcb%252FV4lmboBRe2dmbhtdKo6ifylYRDDDdMA13gtFtAe73FicnM861LDAIlDxb29DzRBS7Iuh%252By0iggbfDkNazgiG4RhkL%252BNTYeWSSby2FZgqnLOswLLLhJX13Q%7Ccksum%3A274685160982fa734d63c9844bb380f19102c35ff5f0%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

doesn’t mean it is an issue all the time or on this one.

a clean motor and a good demo should sell it .

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by crosbyman.

[dave-bernard]

May be a salt water motor. it is very near the sound.

[Barry Blesi]

Trifling point: according to the decals, it’s a ’74.
First off, do the necessary: clean the carb, check the wiring, new set of plugs (or at least take a look at them, the surface gap’s last forever, but still…), new fuel pump diaphragm. Then clean the poor thing up, maybe do some touch-up, and make it look like it was loved.
The biggest issue for you that I see is the pull starter and choke knob. Is it a long shaft, with manual start only? That could be the biggest obstacle to a sale.
I’m wondering, because my dad and I looked at getting this same model of engine for a two-seater little hot-rod Checkmate I had, back in ’74. The difference is, the one we would have gotten would have been a short shaft. Being a manual and a short, either of those things meant “special order”, and we ended up not doing it. Not many people want to pull a manual 50 horse, although that model might have a compression relief. But if it were a short, it could be used on a hydro or a restoration. But a long shaft is less likely to find a “niche” buyer. 🙁
But that said, that 4-cyl is an awesome engine. There’s a reason why they used that same block configuration for about 30 years straight. It was bulletproof and ran like a beast.
You will probably get $400-700, depending on if it’s been salted, where you are, time of year (NOW is a good time), etc etc etc.

[fleetwin]

This engine looks to be a 20″/long shaft model, and I think it is electric start, even though the recoil handle is visible, perhaps I am mistaken…

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