Mercury 9.8 shift issue

[David Jenkins]

I have an opportunity to buy a  9.8hp Mercury 110, Serial number 4815597.  I believe it’s about a 1951/52.  The shift lever is frozen. The throttle is stiff, and the starter was stuck, but a couple of pulls and it engaged.  The motor seems in good shape, and has either very good compression, or good compression with a bit of very old grease everywhere!  Any and all input is greatly appreciated. Including a fair price.  I don’t want to buy a money pit.

Thanks!

• This topic was modified 3 years ago by David Jenkins.
• This topic was modified 3 years ago by David Jenkins.
• This topic was modified 3 years ago by David Jenkins.

[dave-bernard]

1977

[FLIP CARUSO]

When I got my 9.8, it was an early 1970s barn find from a friend whose Dad had passed away. I think you should be more concerned with the wiring under the flywheel.  The wires had basically turned to powder, and finding replacements turned into an ordeal. With a soldering iron, I was able to replace each wire one by one.  YouTube has a lot of great videos on how the work on the carburetor ( which you will definitely have to do ) and electrical system.  There are also a lot of videos on how to free up corroded parts.  Time and patience is the key. As for a money pit, it’s only money! Enjoy your accomplishments.

Flip Caruso

[FLIP CARUSO]

When I got my 9.8, it was an early 1970s barn find from a friend whose Dad had passed away. I think you should be more concerned with the wiring under the flywheel.  The wires had basically turned to powder, and finding replacements turned into an ordeal. With a soldering iron, I was able to replace each wire one by one.  YouTube has a lot of great videos on how the work on the carburetor ( which you will definitely have to do ) and electrical system.  There are also a lot of videos on how to free up corroded parts.  Time and patience is the key. As for a money pit, it’s only money! Enjoy your accomplishments.

Flip Caruso

[billw]

I see you’re a two-year member, so I can assume you have the right attitude for this kind of thing, at least. It is definitely not from the 50s; it’s from the 70s, like Dave said. Like Flip said, Mercs of this period had a very bad problem with the insulation failing on the wiring. I can almost guarantee your motor in question has this problem. If Dave is right and it’s a 1977, that will have a switch box (Merc term for “power pack”) that will have the same type of insulation. The wires go right into the switch box potting material. There is no good way to replace them, so odds are strong that you will need a new switch box. That alone is probably equal to the value of the whole motor. It will also likely need carb service and an impeller, in addition to freeing up the shift and throttle. All that being said, like so many Mercurys, they are good running, enjoyable motors, WHEN EVERYTHING IS RIGHT. This is not an engine you’re going to be able to buy and flip for a profit. But it might be a fun and rewarding experience to get it going, if you know what you’re up against, before you start. And oh by the way, if it has ever been used in SALT water, run, don’t walk, away from it. I live on Cape Cod. Ask me how I know this.

Long live American manufacturing!

[crosbyman]

SO… it all depends   soft water or salty  ???

step one… check the wiring if permitted …. if crumbling you may be able to convince the seller to drop the price… Marineengine.com lists a switch box at +300$ for the 9.8 Merc

but….I could not find ser#s starting 481…..

impeller ,carb, stuck shifter should be easy fixes .  seems some drive shafts did rust in Mercs   maybe yours is stainless  steel (experts here can tell)

check lower cavity around the GC to clear the drain   see pict of a 4hp !!  check GC for  water intrusion

if you can convince the seller and grab it for 1-2-300$  and you do spend 3-400$  you will end up with real nice  kicker  much cheaper than new and with TLC will last for years

this 4hp on my rig with phase maker ignition was dirt cheap.   I   did the carb  GC, and reconnected a poorly connected ignition coil … &  now purrs like a kitcken all day& sips fuel

 

SO… It depends they are not all bad

 

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[William MacNeill]

billw you can taste the salt in the air down the Cape all the way here in Burrillville RI. I stay away from any motor that has been in salt water. You never know how they were put away after use.

[crosbyman]

EzPartsWeb (sysonline.com)

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[David Jenkins]

I want to thank everybody for your great advice!  I’m sticking to the old, old, simple kickers.

 

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