1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

[taliesin1935]

I'm restoring a 1965 Glastron V-171 Sportsman. I'm on the prowl for a Inline I6 somewhat period motor for it. I've seen a couple sweet prospects. Question is, IF the motors are in equal nice running shape...do the research and get a GOOD one...would it be preferable to get a newer one, late 70's early to mid 80's version? I've seen a SWEET 1964 1000 that would look great on the Glastron, but am thinking it be more problematic to deal with as compared to something 15 to 20 years newer.

Any opinions?

Thanks!

 

[Mikes402Jetboat]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

Hi there, I read your question and I wanted to reply to you about this.
I currently own a 1966 Galstron 16 foot boat that I have had for almost 20 years now, I have a 1969 Mercury 1000 100HP inline 6 I use on this boat.
In the 18-19 years that I have owned this boat/motor combination I have never had ANY problems with my engine.
I put a fresh set of plugs in it every year, change the fuel filter every year (inline filter) and ensure I flush it with fresh water when I get back from the fresh water lake every time I come home. The only other thing I have really ever done to it is replace the impeller for the water pump...pulled the lower unit off to replace it. It has never stalled out, broken down or ever given me any issues. I would recommend these inline 6 engines to anyone thinking about buying one. If you do buy one, be sure to pull a compression check on it first to make sure you are getting one with a good set of rings. Also pop the top hat cover and inspect everything closely obviously. Make sure it pees water during an idle too...to ensure the water pump (impeller) isn't in need of a replacement. I have changed this out about 3 times, jut to play it safe...it's the only way the engine can get water circulation and it isn't very expensive to replace either. These motor use needle bearings on the crankshaft, the reed valves also mount to the crankshaft and are not the easiest to rebuild unless you know what you are doing. The pistons come out or go back into the power head two at a time when doing a rebuild. Kinda tricky with the needle bearings...you have to use grease to keep them in place during the assembly. I helped a friend rebuild one once, because he needed my extra set of hands to help. His motor was a 115 HP Mercury...basicall the same thing. If you find a motor the best bet is to have a qualified boat engine mechanic give it a good once over for you, and take it out for a cruise on a lake if you can.

Good hunting!

Mike in Missouri - Pronounce misery!

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

I would recommend ya stick with 1967 or newer trigger fired thunderbolt ignition inline6s.

The 1966 had point fired CDIs, and 1965 and older have non CDI cornventional ignitions.

All of the inlines6 had merrit, (some even like the ol' dockbusters). That said: if ya want the kinda 'speriance the last poster has had, (that I have also had stick with 1967 and up).

If ya plan salt water operation I would go 1975 or newer 900, (90) or 1150, (115) which is the 99.x cubic in inline6, (or swap the LU on the older inline for a later model stainless steel drive shaft LU). The 1000 or 950s were 89.x.

Hope that helps ya. JR

 

[taliesin1935]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

Hey,

Thanks for the input! There's just SOMETHING about the look of the tall old Mercs that just looks right to me. I'll keep on looking and be on the lookout for probably a 115 hp. Probably early70's to early 80's. There's a nice 135 nearby, but am wondering if maybe they aren't a little more "High strung" and finicky. The 115 seems like it would be a good fit, but I'm open to something in that range if it's nice.

Thanks!

If anybody in Michigan needs to get the old Merc out of the garage to buy the wife a Christmas present, I'm looking!

 

[emckelvy]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

Like JR sez, and the older ones are very nostalgic and look Way Cool, but I was reminded by a ride in a Old-Six-Equipped G3 this past summer how noisy the old ones are.

Definitely louder than the more 'modern' Sixes so take that into consideration if you value your hearing!

Of course that's part of the nostalgia of the old ones, I still recall fondly my old Dockbuster 700 but also the '64 Merc 1000 I had on a 14' Fiberform runabout.

But my Most Favorite of All Time was a '71 1350 on a SS16 Sidewinder, that was a fun rig! With a 'modern' swept-back-fin lower unit, stainless prop & power trim, it was the best of both worlds.

Check your local Craigslist.org, a nice 1150 or 1400 would move that 17' hull quite nicely.

If you want the Best of the Best, get a mid-to-late 80's 115hp Inline, one with integrated PT&T in the transom bracket. A very clean installation, since there are no extra hoses, cylinders, or hydraulic pump to mount. All self-contained on the motor.

The latest 115's have as much guts as the old 140's so if you have any issues with hull HP rating, that'll give you tons of performance without exceeding the USCG namplate rating.

Cheers................ed

 

[taliesin1935]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

By "Latest" do you mean the 80's versions, or the last years they made the I6's?

The hull is rated for 110 hp on the tag, but it's getting a beefed up transom and new stringers as we speak. All three stringers are going to be tied into the now full width. It wasn't before...only wide enough to cover the two outer stringers. Now the three go full height all the way to the transom and will be tied in very securely. The stringers are going to be laminated using 2 pcs of 1/2 ply with epoxy and will be 1/4 inch beefier than stock. I think it could handle a 135 hp pretty easily, when you look at the tiny boats that get them and the 150hp versions.

We have the Saginaw Bay here and a sleek smaller hot rod kinda boat would be fun if it was just the river, but I used to have a 32 ft Chris Craft, and even that was SCARY when the 'ol bay decided to get a mood. It's shallow and a wind can kick up 7 to 10 ft waves without too much of a problem....in a hurry. This boat is built to handle a little rougher chop. Call me crazy, but after being out in the bigger boat and white knuckling it, I want a LITTLE bit of safety margin.

This what I'm going for...

My boat right now...

 

[emckelvy]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

Nice looking boat! That 100hp on the one in the pic is just like the one I had on my old Fiberform.

The 1350 is neither high-strung nor finicky. What it does do is breathe very well, with larger reed stops and more flow thru the carbs than the 1150 of the same era. If that one you're talking about is in nice condition, it would add a real classic look to your boat. I've always liked the 'red stripe' trim combo that the '68-'71 motors had. The 1350 goes like Crazy and has excellent top-end performance (I had no troubles with it for skiing, either!).

The 115's got power-ported pistons just like the 1400 (basically it was a 1400 rated at the prop instead of the crankshaft) when Merc went to prop-rated-hp in the Mid-80's. So anything from that point on is the Best and Brightest of the Inlines.

If I recall, '89 was the last year for the Inline Six and they were the most refined of all. Some even came with oil injection, but it was the funky type self-contained in the gas can and best Deep Sixed & back to pre-mix. The later Sixes have a primer instead of chokes, so they start better than the old-timers, having a nice shot of fuel injected for cold starts.

Anyway, sounds like she'll be plenty beefy to handle a Big Six, G'luck with the hunt.......ed

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

If it is rated fer 110 I would stick to that HP or less fer insurance reasons, (n' ya don't want Nanny Gubmint ta throw ya in the gulag niether ).

The 1967 1100, (110 HP) was 94.x cubic inches, (the 1967 950, 1968 1000 n' the 1969 1000 were all 89.x cubic inches) 95 HP n' 100 HP respectively. Not quite as much snot as the 1150, 1250, 1350, 1400 or 1500, all 99.x cubic inches) but they still had plenty of snot fer skiin' et al.

As Ed says: the 1968 n' 1969 had red stripes which looked real mean on the black cowling ta me, (I have two 1968 1250s n' two 1969 1000s).

The LU in 1979 was both stainless steel drive shaft n' the more aggressive skag angle with the pedo pick up in the LU and would bolt up to the older engines, (fer better salt water use).

Me overpriced $.02. JR

 

[taliesin1935]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

Hmmmm...points to ponder. The top of the food chain seems like asking for trouble if someone actually checks the tag. I'm no hot rodder and conservative looking boat will never be suspected of being one of those sleek little rocket sleds that make all the noise and such. I'm hoping I can get away with a 115 to get a will have to check with insurance guy to see if it's doable. I actually drive pretty grandpa like to be truthful. But, if the right 110 or 100 comes around, you never know.

 

[emckelvy]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

All you need to do is pick up a set of motor covers with "90" on them instead of "115" or "140" and you'll be Golden!!!!

There is no way anyone is ever gonna dispute the HP of an Inline without complete engine disassembly unless they see ya doing 50 in that boat with a 90HP.

Then all you gotta say is you done it set up real good!!!!!

 

[taliesin1935]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

Ok....to finish the question of what to buy...I got EXACTLY something suited to a 110 tag limit.

A SWEET 1100SS 1967 Mercury. I looked at a few other motors, and am amazed at how tired and abused some of them can look. Rust, grime, taped wires, dents, and just general overall 40 yrs of use and abuse.

I kept on looking.

I found mine stuck to a nice (but not my kind of thing) Larson Tri Hull of the same vintage. The motor that came with the boat.

The guy used it a few times and the rest of the time it spent in the dry confines of a pole barn, covered.

I haven't started it, but it has good compression and looks for all the world like it has not been used much AT ALL in it's lifetime. The guy had it for almost 30 years and worked 7 days a week so he never took it out.

I popped the cover, and it looks NEW inside. The starter rope is still coiled up and never used or even taken out."Didn't know it had one!" the guy says.

I just brought it home and will post some better pics in a different thread as well when I get them taken.

Hmmmm...I bet the impeller is the original, even the prop looks good and I suspect it's the original.

I want to take it slow, new impeller, clean or overhaul carbs, maybe overhaul the fuel pumps. Wonder if the hoses (they look GOOD) should be updated for alcohol cursed fuel possibilities.

Anyway for now, here it is:

 

[emckelvy]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

Fine looking 1100!!! Has that 'classic' look but with some modern amenities. The 1100 is a strong runner and should push your boat along smartly.

Basic maint as you suggested would be in order, definitely go thru the fuel pumps as they're gonna be pretty dried out from sitting.

You might get by with the hoses for a while, since they're looking good. You could pull one or more off for inspection to see if there's any deterioration on the inside. They are specially crimped, so to replace you'd need to purchase new 3/8" N.P.T. brass fuel fittings and re-plumb.

Here's a good writeup regarding restoring a "sleeper" to operation:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

Check out the other threads in the FAQ, invaluable info there.

Don't forget to inspect/clean the dist cap. Looks like you should have a breakerless elect. ign, so that's one less thing to worry about!

Throw in a new set of surface-gap plugs: Champ L76V, NGK BUHW, AC V40FFM, or Autolite 2852.

Have Fun!............ed

 

[taliesin1935]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

Thanks! It does have the breakerless, I've heeded the sages wisdom and found something that has the setup. I looked at a couple of contenders. They looked every day of their 40 years old. You just don't know what to say when the seller is standing there and expects you to be impressed with something that has the youthful appearance of a 17 year old dog.

The wires look somewhat supple, I poked around a little bit. this thing is CLEAN. Seriously, it looks like it was hardly ever used.

I'll check out the faq stuff and read everything I can get my hands on...and order the fuel pump kits. Those hoses look GREAT from the outside. Will check a couple to ascertain that's the deal inside. Man, those carbs sure look buried, but It's day one with hands on with one of these. Hey, I restore old radios with WAY more wires than these. I think I'm beginning to have a basic understanding on that makes them function properly.

Thanks again!

Ed

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

WOW! Beautiful motor. I'd rebuild the pumps, clean the filters, drop in a new impeller and run it! If it starts and runs pretty good, put some Seafoam in the gas and give it a good run to clean out the carbs. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

Wow that looks jus' like me virgin 1967 950 I snaged last year!!!!!!

SWEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!

A perfect match fer yer ride. MMM...MM...M!!!!!!!!!!

I jus' snaged a 1972 1150 a few days ago that is also a very sweet runnin' fresh water virgin fer only $200, that looks jus' like yer ol' girl here tooo. Gawd I luv those ol' Black girls. Yer never goin' back NOW, I hope ya know!!

Glad ya found her n' gave her the home she diserves. You will be able ta run her fer a 'nother 40 plus years if ya treat her right!!!!!

N' if Central Corntrol doesn't take her away from ya. Grrrrrrrrr.

SWEEEEEEEEEEEET! JR

 

[DECKHANDMALC]

Re: 1964 Mercury 1000 100 hp question.

have a Merc 1000, 100hp, '68 / '69 for sale. fully reconditioned, tested and repainted with all new stickers etc. its too powerful for our boat and has only been used twice for some two hours total. has professional gearbox strengthening apparatus and remote control apparatus. (our boat should be fitted with a 35 / 40 hp, which we're now completing, it's a timber 1950's boat, so you can see why we cannot use the Merc)(we were 'green' at the time and bought the boat with it on). If Merc. is of use to you please contact malcolm preskey tel 01246 237379 where a message facility is available. regards, malc. (have a direct line at work 01629 538571 for lunch time chat)