1967 Mercury Thunderbolt 50HP Motor and Control Question

[Spiderhole]

Hello, I picked up this old school motor to compliment my small Thompson wood boat to putt around in. A few questions...

I have two sets of controls. I have a white one and a black one, both appear to have the connecter that matches the motor. Will any Mercury controller with the correct connector work? The two I have are both whipped - the white one had a key and was working well enough to wire it to temporarily here the motor turn over, I believe the neutral switch is broken? If I was going to use either of them I would have to rewire everything.

What is the correct controller for this motor? I will use anything that is reliable.

The previous owner said he had replaced the impeller at some point. Are there new aftermarket parts I should consider addressing now? The motor has only ever been used in fresh water.

Thanks!

Chris

 

[racerone]

The impeller would be in stock at most Mercury dealers.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard, Spider. iboats carries your impeller, although it might be best to look at the rest of the pump parts, a full kit could be the best way to go. You need the serial number of the motor to ID the right one, but the same one was used across a range of motors. Here is the impeller - http://www.iboats.com/Mercury-Impellers/dm/cart_id.769089802--session_id.408341367--view_id.271498

Black and white is kinda a lean description of the controls. But I'll guess you have two Mercontrols. The differences are minor and between the two of them, I'm sure you can make one good one. There are some topics here by members who have rebuilt Mercontrols. CDI makes replacement a wiring harness from the control to the motor if yours can't be repaired. I was successful fixing the harness, including the one inside the motor. Both harnesses are available in the iboats store.

 

[Spiderhole]

Thank you very much. My serial is 2168363 if this help. You are correct, I have two Mercontrols. They are clearly different years, but one is white the other black. I know my description is highly vague. We used the white one to test the motor and it works, but the wires inside are all shot; if also has a broken electric component which I believe is the neutral switch? I will try to post some pictures. I have rebuilt all sorts of motors over the years, but I am a novice to boat motors and controls relatively speaking. I also own a Grady White with a Yamaha 200 that has run like a top for years. This Merc is a totally different animal.

 

[GA_Boater]

The old Mercs have wiring that decays over the years. Mine was in shambles, but I managed to repair/patch the wiring and she runs great now.

 

[merc850]

Early 60's Mercs were white, later they went to black just use the controller that matches your motor