engine id and lower unit help needed

I just purchased an older boat for my first boat. Its a project boat that is in need of a few repairs. First off I need to id the engine. Its a 65 hp merc. I think its a 1969 but not sure. It has a Kiekhaefer and a thunderbolt decal on it. The title says the serial no is 2715504 but I will pull the cover off to get the actual serial number off when the weather breaks.

It has a busted lower unit housing on it right now. The complete lower unit is removed from the rest. I have all these parts in the boat to hopefully reuse. Are there any compatable years or models that will interchange with this one?How hard is it to reinstall the lower unit? Is is something that a first time owner might try?

Re: engine id and lower unit help needed

I've had a look at the year lists I've got (which I got from this site) for old Mercs and based on the serial number it says it is a 1969 motor. I've got a few old Mercs and I recon they are great to work on. I'd recommend getting a decent shop manual for it though - I got a Clymer shop manual for mine and it covers everything you need to know (and covers a whole lot of different horse powers so you can find out what parts are interchangeable). I like the old Mercs so much I can't stop buying them!!!

More is good!!??

Re: engine id and lower unit help needed

Just about any of the 4 cylinder lower units(complete) will bolt up as they a 2:3:1 ratio. The difference is housings,gears,driveshaftsand the way they shim up.