Beginner Engine to Restore

[cheetahgod]

What mercury outboard is the easiest to restore for a beginner?

[20mercman]

I would say perhaps a KE-4/Mark-7 are pretty simple motors and easy to work on. As for more newer motors, the 6hp, 7.5, 9.8hp motors are nice motors that are not highly complicated.

Steve

[green-thumbs]

The early KE4 had Bendix Magneto which have a pressed on magnet rotor that complicates renewing upper crankshaft seal. Look for a later KE4 or Mark 7 which have the easier to service Repco/Phelon magneto. If you like mechanical puzzles you will enjoy wrenching on an old outboard. Pick a motor that shows it was well cared for and has not been messed with.
It is also a good idea to pick up a cheap junker of same model to practice on. There are quite a few KE4 /Mark 7 at meets and often fairly priced.
Another choice is a late 50s – 60s OMC Lightwin for which parts are (much more)readily available

Louis

Mr. Hunn’s "This Old Outboard" has some advice as to which are easy to work on and which
might best be left to others with experience and perhaps Mercury Service Tools.

[crosbyman]

your proabably a Merc man at heart like I was….in my younger years but J&E are easy to work on

Duckworks has a nice article on restoring a 15hp
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/col … index6.htm

and Leroy’s site has lots of info for you
http://www.leeroysramblings.com/Outboar … icles.html

come out of the dark side 😈

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[pm-t2]

Why limit your scope to a Merc?

Try an antique. Johnson Light Twin, for instance. Still plentiful, parts not so difficult to find if you need em, the ignitions are virtually bullet-proof, and they are known to be among the best running antique motors of all time. easy-peasy to work on, even for a novice.

Just sayin’….

Best,
PM T2

[jeff-register]

The Bendix rotor can be removed by using a pitman arm removal tool with Mr. Dremel adaption. You don’t want a Mercury Mark 28 unless you are in for much work. Just ask Frank. What HP are you looking for?

[auldscott]

I’ll second the motion that the 1961 and later 6, 7.5 and 9.8 hp motors are good candidates for a beginner – unless the beginner wants an earlier motor.

[cheetahgod]

Yeah I have a 7.5hp merc from 1980s I think. The problem is the parts for the ignition are very expensive

[fisherman6]

If you’re looking for something less costly to restore, it’s definitely worth looking at OMC. Mercs tend to be more expensive to repair and more difficult to get parts for.
-Ben

OldJohnnyRude on YouTube

[seakaye12]

quote Cheetahgod:

Yeah I have a 7.5hp merc from 1980s I think. The problem is the parts for the ignition are very expensive

Hiya CG….

You know; some guys will pick up an older version of those Mercs from the late 60’s and swap over the ignition system to revert it back to the Phelon style magneto.

It’s not very hard at all….assuming you have a complete powerhead to pull all the little ditty parts from. Chances are if you post the serial number of your Merc here one of us can confirm that such a swap is possible.

Look over the lower unit of your Merc first; they can be expensive to repair as well if there’s been water intrusion and the associated rusty bearings. Have a look at the bearing right under the impeller….

Chuck

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