1961 Merc 800. White/blackand chrome housing

[reorod]

Picking this boat and motor up at the end of the month. Wont to upgrade the ignition. Does this exist for this old mill. It is the FGS not the Dock-Buster, I think.
Cant seem to find aftermarket performance. Don't want to get rid of the engine. Its on a 55 Lone star cruise-master.

 

[MTboatguy]

Looks like a late 50's early 60's motor, I seriously doubt you are going to find any real commercially available performance parts for it.

 

[merc850]

That motor uses 2 12v automotive style ignitions that you can service yourself with information from the 1965 and prior Mercury manual


lots of experienced guys on http://johnsoldmercurysite.com/phpBB3/index.php

 

[reorod]

Thanks merc850, Very helpful information.

 

[reorod]

Is it possible to upgrade to a hall effect or newer ignition than dual points on this engine? Simply want more reliability and more fire power in the ignition system. For the same reasons the auto industry offer these parts for older cars. I like this old power plant and don't want to get rid of it. Its still here because it was doing what it was designed to do. Something was right.

 

[reorod]

No Title

This is the boat

 

[merc850]

You will have to find a donor 6cyl motor with Thunderbolt ignition and try to make the distributor housing and rotor shaft fit so that the throttle will work, the new parts are available on this site; new parts will be worth the time as the old triggers usually are kaput.
I have a 1960 700 that I ran for 15 years with the 2 coil ignition!

 

[reorod]

You will have to find a donor 6cyl motor with Thunderbolt ignition and try to make the distributor housing and rotor shaft fit so that the throttle will work, the new parts are available on this site; new parts will be worth the time as the old triggers usually are kaput.
I have a 1960 700 that I ran for 15 years with the 2 coil ignition!

Fantastic!!! Thanks again for the info. Have a blessed day!