1963 Mercury 650 restoration

[MPrimeaux]

Hello all, brand new to the forum and very much in need of some help. I recently purchased a 1957 Fleetform Custom boat and want to restore it. It has an Evinrude Lark on it at the moment, but I have my heart set on an old Mercury. I've found 2 1963 Mercury 650's and really love the look of that model... the problem is I don't know anything about magneto ignition...or old mercs for that matter. Am I biting off more than I can chew?? I have read that many parts for these outboards are NLA. Can anyone coach me through this? Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[racerone]

That magneto on the 63 MERCURY is well built and easy to maintain.-----Biggest issue with the 650 might be the carbon steel shafts on the lower unit.----Have a 63 model 650 in my collection too.

 

[matt167]

I have a '64 650. parts are NLA except basic stuff ( plugs, carb kits and water pump kits ). good engines but time forgot them. You can however keep them going for some time. new points show up from time to time if you really need them and you can find spare Mags/ carbs pretty easy. A nice old finned fiberglass or wood boat needs an old Mercury pushing it

 

[merc850]

First buy a Mercury manual 1965 and prior, next check the wiring for, corrosion in the motor and the control harness; Post some photos for analysis (200k). I believe this is the wiring diagram for a 650 note the 2 coils - it is a auto type ignition (like granpa's old chevy) no magneto.
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[racerone]

No, no-----The 650 has a magneto !!!-----Not a battery ignition with 2 coils.

 

[merc850]

OOPS I read the 700 column in the manual try this:

 

[MPrimeaux]

Thanks for the info everyone. This was supposed to be a "junk" boat that I was going to cut up and frankenstein into a jet boat, but now I've got an itch I need to scratch! I was a welder for 15 years before going back to school and now I'm an electrician by trade. I'm pretty handy, just haven't really worked on outboards other than routine stuff.... water pumps, carbs, etc. Here are a couple of pictures for reference. matt16, after looking at vintage outboards on the interweb... I agree! This boat NEEDS a big ol' nasty merc hanging off the back. I really like the look of the '63. I'm also going to post some pictures of the motors I've found and what the asking prices are of each (hopefully ya'll can coach me through that.... Please!) and also a picture of the motor that started me looking for this model. I'm picturing it color matched yellow to the boat. Again.... ANY advice, counsel, etc. will be really appreciated.

 

[merc850]

Pictures aren't showing they have to be 200k or less I use jpg format. Take the wraparound cowling off and show the starter, magneto, carbs. Checking for compression (120psi or so) is a good idea; shows what shape the pistons are in.

 

[MPrimeaux]

I'm trying merc, I'm offshore right now and the internet isn't very fast. I was hoping there was a way to upload individual pics from my computer, but I'm having to upload to my profile first. Taking for ever! As for the compression. I have not purchased these motors yet. One of them I've been told has been "restored". It looks to be in really good shape and I'm told it runs, but doesn't have any controls. It's a long shaft. The other is cheaper, but I have been told that it has good compression (130psi on all 4), does have controls, but doesn't run. It's a short shaft. Pictures to follow.....Hopefully.

 

[MPrimeaux]

[No message]

 

[MPrimeaux]

Ok, think I have it figured out. This pictures above are the one that has supposedly been restored. Guy is asking $650 without controls and it's a long shaft. Here is a couple more.

 

[MPrimeaux]

Here are a few of the one that the compression is 130psi on all holes, with controls, but does NOT run. Short shaft and asking $400

 

[MPrimeaux]

This is the boat that it's going to go on.

 

[MPrimeaux]

This is a picture of a motor that I'm going for. I would like to color match the upper and lower cowl and paint the shaft and lower unit white.

 

[MPrimeaux]

These are a couple of the same kind of boat redone.

 

[MPrimeaux]

I really love the lines of the boat and I really love the style of that 650. Just have no experience with keeping one of these older mercs alive. Is it worth it? Can I make it dependable with so many parts NLA? Let me know what you think. Thanks again for the help everyone.

 

[MPrimeaux]

Hey merc, do you have a clever place to order a repair manual, or do I just search the net? It seems like I've seen 65-66 and up, but not many (if any) for merc's older than that.

 

[merc850]

The one with controls looks like the better buy - controls may be hard to find and they have different wiring schemes. A Mercury dealer should have the manual C-90-25500 or oldmercs.com will; since there's rust on the flywheel and starter it looks like it may have sat out in the weather which is not good. Is this a salt water motor? If the faceplate is in better shape on the longshaft one ask to swap it for the trashed one. Is the boat a long or short shaft transom? if you try to put a SS on a LS boat you're going to have to cut a section out the other way the gearcase will be so deep in the water performance will be degraded. Buy them both! (Personally I like Phantom Black available from a dealer it goes good with the stainless bands.) The color on the Mark 78A could be one of these greens
if the seller will let you, check the gear lube for water and hope there's none you will have to check/replace the waterpump as well. If you have to you can always swap powerheads.

 

[JPO 1949]

I like the body style and lines of your boat. Looks like it might clean up and surprise you. As for the motor, see if he will give you a deal if you buy both.I have a 1959 mark 58a and some parts are really hard to find and when you do find them they are expensive.Best of luck with your project. Ebay can be your friend.

 

[MPrimeaux]

Merc: I had every intention of buying them both.... if nothing else so I would have some spare parts. That would mean I would have somewhere around $1000 in the two. Is that too much? As for the transom size... The boat is NOT a big boat. it's only 14' and the transom isn't very deep (I don't have an exact measurement yet). I was thinking of replacing the long shaft with the short. I realize that I will have to inspect the lowers and shafts first, but that was my plan. As for the colors, I like the phantom black too, but I THINK I want to color match the cowl to the boat, not necessarily the OEM color of the motor. If not, it will definitely be painted OEM black. Thanks for the info on manuals... I'll check both places out.

JPO: Thanks!, I really like the lines too. My brother picked up the boat for me and he cleaned a little spot off just to check (I told him NOT to wash it...I want the surprise to be mine!) and he said that it DID clean up. He said the hull was still bright, shiny, and smooth. He also said that he kinda beat around on the transom and bottom inside and out, as well as pulled on the motor pretty good and everything was solid. Said he didn't find any soft spots. I really think it's going to clean up.