1963 mercury outboard no water

[greg64]

hi I have a 1963 merc 500 #1939565. I do not get any water from the hose that is conected to the lower left side of the head. I have droped the lower unit all ready to check the water pump it self and it looks new I tried to blow air through the hose back in to the case but it acted like it is pluged I know the hose is clear. I would think that I could hear air comming back through down at the tube that goes in to the water pump when I had the lower unit off and if I blow air up in side it sounds like it just comes back through the exhaust tube. I need help thanks greg

 

[Motor Boater Bill]

Re: 1963 mercury outboard no water

Strange but true--mud dobbers just love to plug those hoses! Pull the hose off, ream it with a wire and see what comes out. I keep a piece of string trimmer string shoved up mine when not in use to keep the bugs out. Every motor I've had that sat for any time got the hole or the hose plugged.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 1963 mercury outboard no water

I believe the early 60's Merc's had no tell-tale, water went out with the exhaust through the prop. Someone could have added one to yours though. Clear the hose and run it on the muffs, if you still don't get any water see if the water jackets are too warm to touch...should be cool enough to keep you hand on if the water pump/impeller is working. If not, shut it down quickly and fix the pump/impeller and make sure the water tube is installed correctly in the lower unit and at the powerhead.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: 1963 mercury outboard no water

My 60 merc 300 has a tell tell

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: 1963 mercury outboard no water

I believe the 50hp should have a telltale stream, if it is still per factory spec.

There must be a clog in there somewhere... OR .... Are you sure the water tube is inserted in the corect location up under the powerhead?? It should enter into a rubber grommet in the exhaust plate.

With the lower unit off, you might try connecting a water hose (low pressure only) directly to the bottom of the water tube temporarily. Might help to rule out a water pump issue.

Water should go up the water tube, and come down the inside of the exhuast tube. If its coming out everywhere in the mid-section , take a closer look at where that water tube is going up top.

Good luck.

 

[greg64]

Re: 1963 mercury outboard no water

Hi. I saw a pipe plug at the very top of the block very close to the fly wheel it had the same thread as the plastic fitting that the hose would go on before the water goes out of the shroud so i put it in and fired up the motor water came out of the hose but none came out of the fitting that the hose hooked up to in the first place . Do you think that the water passages in the case are blocked buy some critter or sediment? And if I took off the side plate would it expose any water ports .Now also it is stuck in forward gear. plus do you know where I can get a service manual for this 1963 50 hp th

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: 1963 mercury outboard no water

Thats a good place to take the water outlet line anyways....the top ensure good venting. But it does sound like the pasages at the bottom may be plugged up. Just need to keep the line away from the flywheel, and still be able to get the upper cowl support back in place.

Removed the exhaust baffle is a bit risky on a motor that old, as broken bolts are the norm. The water jacket cover around the spark plugs is less risky, but still known to cause grief. Was you motor used in a salt water environment? I ask because of the bolting, and becuase it could be contributing to poor water circulation from chloride build-up etc.

Service manuals are avialable. Merc factory manual is best, but others have had luck with other varieties.