1963 Mercury 650 restoration

[MPrimeaux]

I think you can find all the parts you need for these.------You have to be patient to get the parts.------You can not get the parts overnight from AMAZON if you are used to that concept.-----I have every part you might need for it and maybe 3 times over too !!

That helps a bunch. I understand not getting parts from amazon or my local merc dealer. Just wanted to make sure some of you that have experience with this didn't know of a particular part or system that you have been looking for for years and just can't seem to find. Thanks again Racer. That encourages me a lot. I kinda had my heart set on that model.... or similar. Now to figure out 65hp or 40hp... I THINK that the 65hp would be great on this boat. I've had a 50hp on a 14 52 aluminum float bottom jon boat with console steering and casting decks and I could have used way more power. However, the boat I'm working on only weighed 450 lbs new. Kinda on the fence about that. Guess I'll go with the best deal/motor I find.

 

[GA_Boater]

Does your Fleetform still have a capacity plate with the max power stamped?

 

[MPrimeaux]

Does your Fleetform still have a capacity plate with the max power stamped?

Not that I've found GA. I've read from some vintage flyers that I saw on the net that it was originally rated for 45hp outboard. I don't think power will be the real issue, as I think it will handle the power. I think the only issue will be weight. If it is, I think I may can install an inboard fuel tank under the bow and use some sort of electric lift pump to send the fuel back. I think that will offset the weight.

 

[MPrimeaux]

On another note, I got the boat home this weekend and did a quick pressure washing and de-junking of the boat... and I did purchase the 1963 Merc 650 short shaft with controls yesterday. I'm going to hang it on the transom today to get an idea of what it's going to look like and will post pics after. Here are a few of the boat without the tree litter in and on it.

 

[racerone]

That boat with a sweet running 650 will get you lots of looks.----Lots of folks will come over with comments on that boat / motor set-up.

 

[MPrimeaux]

That boat with a sweet running 650 will get you lots of looks.----Lots of folks will come over with comments on that boat / motor set-up.

I think so too racer. It's got some really good lines. I'm going to take my time and do the best that I can, I just hope I can do it justice! If I wanted to have the biggest baddest ski/runabout on the lake, I'd have to have some stupid deep pockets..... but I doubt I'll see many more boats out there with style like this one!

 

[GA_Boater]

That is not the same boat! When did you pick this one up?

The plexi windshield isn't even cloudy like so many oldies.

 

[MPrimeaux]

That is not the same boat! When did you pick this one up?

The plexi windshield isn't even cloudy like so many oldies.

GA it's not cloudy at all! I was really surprised too. The only issue it has is that there are a couple big blobs of pine sap on it. Going to have to be careful getting it off as to not jack it up.

 

[GA_Boater]

Hot water and a soft cloth should soften the sap blob so you pick it off with your finger. Add some dish soap like Dawn should get the rest off.

 

[jimmbo]

Isopropyl Alcohol will remove sap easily

 

[MPrimeaux]

Just a few pics after hanging the motor on the back just to get an idea of what it's going to look like and a few of the problems I'm going to have to repair in the gel coat. As GA mentioned, the windshield is in really good shape... it does have a small crack on the bottom at one of the mounting screws that I will have to be careful of. It also has a couple of good sized chips out of the gel coat and a few long cracks in the gel coat. So..... I guess it will be a little more than just a "buff", but that's what I'm used to anyways. If I think it's going to take a day of work... it's normally a week or better after I get into it! The merc looks great to me although I'm afraid it will take some doing to get it running. The starter works and it turns over fine, I get consistent compression on all cylinders (my cheap amazon special gauge reads around 85 psi on all holes even though there is 130psi written on all cylinders??), I do have fire although it's weak. I didn't even see a light on my inline spark tester.... had to just touch the plug to the head to see the spark. Oh well.... like I said, it wouldn't be one of my projects if I didn't have to start from scratch!

 

[MPrimeaux]

Oh yeah...... Merc850, I ordered my service and parts manual today for the 650. :tea:

 

[MPrimeaux]

The fam and I have been gratefully enjoying the benefits afforded us by so many others' sacrifice this weekend. I'm very grateful and forever in debt to all that have served and sacrificed to allow us to live the life that we live. Had a great time at the lake and I'm home now and reading my brand new handy dandy pre-1966 service manual and I was wondering if any of you can give me a heads up. I did get the engine home and was able to perform some VERY basic testing. The engine does turn over good via the starter (jumper cables connected directly) and does have consistent compression on all 4 cyl. It does appear to fire to the plugs, but it's weak. I can barely see a spark with the plug removed and grounded to the head in the daylight...Barely. So I started reading and I'm running across references to tools that the manual suggests that I need (magneto analyzer, degree plates, etc). Would any of you be willing to give me a list of "must haves" to troubleshoot/repair this motor? I have a good RMS multimeter (Fluke) and was wondering if I would be able to perform the checks with it instead of the mentioned Magneto Analyzer. Thanks everyone.

 

[racerone]

Remove bottom part of the magneto.-----Find the points / breaker set.-----Clean the points and set them to 0.010" .-----Test for spark.----Re-install magneto.

 

[MPrimeaux]

Remove bottom part of the magneto.-----Find the points / breaker set.-----Clean the points and set them to 0.010" .-----Test for spark.----Re-install magneto.

I'll do that today and let you know. On another note, you wouldn't happen to know what acceptable compression would be on a '63 650 would you? Can't find it in the manual. I'm getting around 85 psi on all holes. Seems low to me, but they're all consistent.

 

[racerone]

There are many variables , including cheap gauges.

 

[MPrimeaux]

There are many variables , including cheap gauges.

Roger that. I've definitely got those. Thanks my friend.

 

[GA_Boater]

My Merc 500 sat unused for years and suffered from weak or no spark at the plugs. While you have the magneto apart look at the rotor and cap. Mine had green funk on the contacts. What wasn't obvious was the worn and sticky carbon button, that took a little while.

 

[MPrimeaux]

Hey Racer... is there a trick to getting this rotor out? I've got the magneto off, pulled the cap and the cover screws are out, but I cant get the rotor out. I don't figure prying on it would be good.

 

[racerone]

Very carefull with those parts as they are spendy.-----There was a special tool for removing rotors.----I have that item.