My Project Boat

Hello: I'm totally new to iboats, just joined a few mins ago. I just got this 1965 18' Glastron speedboat. It is totally sea worthy with no cracks or leaks but the engine (Mercury 900) doesn't run and the controls are old and spent. It's all fiberglass but it needs a little TLC. I only spent $200 for everything including 2 gas tanks, a side ladder, an anchor, and the trailer which is in good shape. If I can get the engine going it would be huge but I have my doubts because it seems frozen but I haven't taken it apart yet. It was taken into salt water and not washed off. I'm looking for a manual for the outboard engine for the Mercury 900 (unknown year). Is every year different? Is there any way I can figure out what year motor I have? I know boats can become money pits but I would love to get this baby back out on the lake. Anyone know about fixing up motors? Is it worth trying to get it going again when the prop is frozen? All tips and comments welcome!

Re: My Project Boat

Do you have the s/n for the engine?

Gerry

Re: My Project Boat

looks to be early 70s motor. Serial number is essential for correct ID. Look on transom clamp for serial number. Try to turn flywheel by hand and see if it turns. Remove spark plugs and see if you see rust in cylinders. Also you can remove transfer covers on starboard side of block and inspect cylinders, pistons and rings.

I think that boat is a looker...Normally they would have a Johnnyrude motor on them....

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I would say mid to late 60's engine. That chrome "Handle" on the top tward the front went away in 68.

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Thanks everyone for posting. The boat is a 1965 Glasstron but the transom has been repaired and I wouldn't be surprised if the Merc. 900 was not the original motor. I will check for the serial number as soon as it stops raining.

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Just get out in the rain and get wet.....the suspense is killing me.

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Okay, It stopped raining and I got out there and took some pictures of the motor. I took off the cover to check the motor and I took pictures. I tried very hard to find the serial number on the transom clamp and I found several numbers but I don't know if they are the serial number or not. Engraved in the clamp it says: "Mercury" and then under that it says "1440" and under that it says "1333. On another area of the clamp it says: "HA2014" and under that it says "21". At least I think it says "HA", it is kinda scratched and difficult to read. Do any of these numbers make any sense to anyone? Also, when I got the cover off I tried to turn the head and it did turn freely but only slightly (about 1/4 inch) and then something stops it, could it be engaged? The prop doesn't turn at all. This motor has 6 cylinders and I guess it's a 4 stroke engine, hmmmm, is that right? I didn't try to take the spark plugs off yet but I can see a small amount of rust on some of them around where they screw in, others have none. The motor is in the up position and I have no battery to see if I can raise and lower it, it does have cables leading to a 3 button switch, what kind of battery do I need? The throttle controls are in bad shape but I might be able to screw it all back together. I put pictures of everything on my flickr account and can be viewed here--> http://www.flickr.com/photos/tyler6357pics/sets/72157629483303707/show/

All replies are welcome

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I could not see the pictures, as flickr is filtered out

Very likely that motor is 2 cycle. If the prop doesn't turn, maybe the gearcase has trouble. That could stop the flywheel from turning as well. Remove the spark plugs and look for rust. Squirting oil into the cylinders is a good idea.

A standard automotive-type battery is the right kind to run that motor and work the trim as well.

Re: My Project Boat

Chris1956 said:

I could not see the pictures, as flickr is filtered out

Very likely that motor is 2 cycle. If the prop doesn't turn, maybe the gearcase has trouble. That could stop the flywheel from turning as well. Remove the spark plugs and look for rust. Squirting oil into the cylinders is a good idea.

A standard automotive-type battery is the right kind to run that motor and work the trim as well.

Click to expand...

Thanks. I don't understand why you can't see the pics, I have it set to public view. Try this--> http://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=sets

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Pull the plugs, spray some wd-40 into the cylinders, let it sit a while, then a little light oil into the cylinders and manually turn the shaft with a wrench on the center bolt on the flywheel. Once you are certain the pistons move freely you can go with the starter and battery.

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The serial # is located on the tilt tube between the thumb screws as seen from inside the boat.

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Empty out lower unit gear oil and check no water intrusion (milky).Also check no chunks of metal present.

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start by grabbing the prop pull up and down and check flex in transom. you have your work cut out for you but i bet the motor will turn. it may be the lower unit that is frozen. you will need to drain the trim pump to lower the motor. all the wires will need attention inside the motor in order for it to have a spark at the plugs. i am restoring the same exact boat now and yours looks even nicer ! can you post more pics ? classicglastrons.com. ,fiberglassics.com and the old merc guys at johnsoldmercs.com. the motor and boat are most likely the orignal rig made between 64'-66'. take your time it's been sitting a long time

Re: My Project Boat

79Merc80 said:

The serial # is located on the tilt tube between the thumb screws as seen from inside the boat.

Click to expand...

Thank you, I tried to look there but the motor is in the up position and I can't see it, I can see some writing but I need to lower the motor to see it, I guess I need to get a battery and see if the trim works to get the serial number, damn

start by grabbing the prop pull up and down and check flex in transom. you have your work cut out for you but i bet the motor will turn. it may be the lower unit that is frozen. you will need to drain the trim pump to lower the motor. all the wires will need attention inside the motor in order for it to have a spark at the plugs. i am restoring the same exact boat now and yours looks even nicer ! can you post more pics ? classicglastrons.com. ,fiberglassics.com and the old merc guys at johnsoldmercs.com. the motor and boat are most likely the orignal rig made between 64'-66'. take your time it's been sitting a long time

Click to expand...

I tried to pull up and down on the prop but I didn't see any flex in the transom at all, the transom has been repaired, I can see a fiberglass fix on it. these links don't work: classicglastrons.com and johnsoldmerc.com don't exist, are you certain you got these links spelled correctly? You are right, the boat needs a lot of work but the hull is in great shape. I will try to post more pictures on my flickr account.

Pull the plugs, spray some wd-40 into the cylinders, let it sit a while, then a little light oil into the cylinders and manually turn the shaft with a wrench on the center bolt on the flywheel. Once you are certain the pistons move freely you can go with the starter and battery.

Click to expand...

Thank you! I will try that.

I could not see the pictures, as flickr is filtered out

Very likely that motor is 2 cycle. If the prop doesn't turn, maybe the gearcase has trouble. That could stop the flywheel from turning as well. Remove the spark plugs and look for rust. Squirting oil into the cylinders is a good idea.

A standard automotive-type battery is the right kind to run that motor and work the trim as well.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips. I will try those things. I totally new to boats so this project is a learning experience for me. It should be fun

This link should work to see pics of my motor---> http://www.flickr.com/photos/tyler6357pics/sets/72157629483303707/show/ if it doesn't work it could be your computer settings.

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loosen one of the smaller nuts on the power trim pump, and oil should come out and the motor should lower. You may need to push it down a bit. That looks to be a 60s inline six. I do not have any experience with the ign system, so I will defer to the experts.

Re: My Project Boat

Chris1956 said:

loosen one of the smaller nuts on the power trim pump, and oil should come out and the motor should lower. You may need to push it down a bit. That looks to be a 60s inline six. I do not have any experience with the ign system, so I will defer to the experts.

Click to expand...

Well, if it's a 60s motor than it is probably the orgininal motor because the boat is a 65.

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Do these look like the decals on your engine? I'v gone through them all and these look close to what appears to be a yellowish colour in the first flicker picture.

http://www.nymarine.ca/65ME900WEBPIC.gif

These are the decals for a 1965 900.

The 900 was made in 1965 and not again until 1978.

90 900 6-cyl 1755444 1869775 1965 USA
90 900 6-cyl 4845301 5160323 1978 USA


From here:

http://www.marinshopen.se/Motorer/O...cury2taktR66cyl80150hp/tabid/489/Default.aspx

Gerry

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Update: Okay, I hooked up my 12 volt battery from my motorhome onto the boat battery terminals to test the tilt and in spite of the old wiring it worked! I was able to lower the motor completely down by pushing the bottom button on my 3 button pannel (see the last 2 pictures on my flickr, I added them). I got the serial number of the motor. When I tried to raise the motor back up I hit the up button (top button) but it didn't work however, when I held in both the up (top) and the middle button at the same time the motor came back up. Is this normal or is the wiring wrong? Should you have to hold both buttons in to get it to come out of the water? What is the middle button for anyway? If you look at the picture you can see 3 buttons, the top button says "up" the middle button says "up and "out" and the bottom button says "in". What does this mean? Click here to see the 2 new pics I added, they are the last 2---> http://www.flickr.com/photos/tyler6357pics/sets/72157629483303707/show/

Anyhow, the serial number reads "1766879". I'm not sure what year that is. Is it a 1965? The serial number is actually closer to the 1964 Model, Mercury 850 on your link but my motor says Mercury 900, I don't understand. Also, does anyone know where can I get the manual?

Thank you!!

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It is definetely a 1965 900 as your number falls between 1755444 and 1869775. It is not a '64 850!

Service Manual P/N: C-90-25500

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320789186229&clk_rvr_id=320310188982

Gerry

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get inside the boat and check the plywood inside the transom for rot. it's 1 and a half inch plywood fiberglassed in. that's what is holding the motor not fiberglass. transom fixed or transom fixed correct ?. now try and free the motor turn the prop and see what's going on. the links exist try again . wet sand with 2500 grit sandpaper then a buffing wheel with finishing compound on a wool polishing pad and she will look new follow up with wax. the motor is a beast good luck