24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

[Chipso]

Hi:<br /><br />I have a 1965 Merc 650, 65 HP, 4 cyl. The mixing bottle I just got from "West Marine" says on the bottle "Mercury prior to 1966 use 24-1 ratio" I keep hearing about the 50-1 ratio and was wondering if I was adding to little oil to the mixture. I thought this was a lot of oil (24-1) to add, but why is this on the mixing bottle in bold print? Does this sound correct? The former owner told me he used the 50-1 mix, which I'm beginning to wonder about.<br /><br />Any thoughts?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

50:1 is probably what is recommended for that motor with todays oil. I would use 40:1 or more, like I do in my inline 6, because a little extra protection isn't going to hurt anything.

 

[Merc805]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

http://archive.bibalex.org/web/20010801165541/goa-northcoastoil.com/tips/obmixing.html

 

[Chipso]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

Hi:<br /><br />Thanks for your replys on the 50-1 ratio. If I try a 6 gal. tank of the 24-1 ratio, would I run into any major problems other than the exhaust might smoke a bit more? Would the plugs foul up? This was a brand new mixing bottle from "West Marine" that it says to use the 24-1 ratio.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

You will get some extra carbon built up and you might foul the plugs, but it's nothing that can't be cleaned up. Really though, there is no reason to go richer than 32:1, even if you're using plain old motor oil.

 

[Chipso]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

ZmOz:<br /><br />Thanks, I got the tank mixed already so I guess I will see if I can add some more gas and dilute it somewhat to get it closer to the 40-1 ratio. Went to the website that Merc805 recommened and the info on Mercury wasn't clear for the model year, 1965, Merc 650 4 cyl. It was interesting though on some of the earlier engines(60's era) from other manufactures that I saw on the website did run on the 24-1 mixture.

 

[NEECAPRS]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

Chipso: The Mercury factory manual calls for 50:1 for mid-60s motors.

 

[Chipso]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

NEECAPRS:<br /><br />Thanks for your imput. I guess, I will have to go back to "West Marine" to find out where they came up with the "24-1 ratio for Mercurys before 1966" that is printed on their mixing bottle.<br /><br />Thanks,

 

[Gold Bear]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

Chipso <br /><br />I had a Merc 500 back in the 60's and ran it at 50:1 ratio.<br /><br />Apparently there is a mis-print from West Marine.<br /><br />I do like the advise to run it at about 40:1 though.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Gold Bear

 

[Chipso]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

Gold Bear: Yeah, I like ZmOz idea of a little bit of extra protection makes sense, better to be a little bit richer than to make a mistake on the lite side. Now I've got to fiqure how to dilute the 6 gals of the 24-1 mixture I made up. I would like to just get rid of it, but I'm not sure who if anybody would take it?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

Use your fuel line and the primer bulb to siphon about 2 gallons into a gas can, then fill the rest up with gas again. No need to throw it away...6 gallons is still about 12 bucks worth!

 

[Chipso]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

Hi ZmOz:<br /><br />Thanks for your solution to saving my gas. I wasn't sure how I could salvage it. Now, about the 2 gallons left over at 24-1? Any idea how much gas I should add to that to salvage it? I'm new to this and I sure appreciate all the help everyone has giving me.<br /><br />Thanks Again!

 

[ZmOz]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

Well...I was never good at math, but if you add 2 gallons of gas to the left over 2, that should be 48:1. You could use it like that and add a tad more oil, or find out whatever 1 gallon would make it and maybe use that. Remember 1 gallon of gas is 128 ounces, so you can figure out the ratio from that.

 

[Chipso]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

ZmOz:<br /><br />Thanks again for your final answer. I hated these math problems in High School also. I was much better in gym class. I think I got it and I will sleep a bit better tonight knowing I can save the original 6 gal. tank of 24-1 ratio gas. Many thanks again!

 

[Merc805]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

I don't think I would trust ZmOZ's maths.. <br /><br />Lets' see... 6 gallons at 50:1 is ummm "0"<br /><br />Dohhhh!!!!!

 

[Chipso]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

Hi All:<br /><br />I finally solved my problem today. I talked to the park foreman here today and told him about my 6 gal. mixture problem with the 24-1. He said he can use it in his lawn maintenance equipment here. I'm out the $12., but I'm guessing, it's better than taking a chance on messing up my motor with the wrong mixture and burning it up.<br /><br />Thanks again, for all your imput. I guess I'll go brush up on my math now.....<br /><br />Later,

 

[biker4jc]

Re: 24-1 ratio for 1965 Mercury Outboard?

So siphon half the gas into another 6 gallon gas can, or a combination of gas cans equalling 3 gallons, and top them off with straight gas ........ just thinking.