1976 Merc 50hp - Part Identification / general help

[sobgtp]

Hi Guys,

New to the forum , just picked up a 16ft Surfmaster with a 1976 Merc 50hp

The previous owner said that the motor was running great up until a few weeks ago. He said that he had the marina take a look at the motor and they believe that the motor needs a new switch box (He said Power Pack). He mentioned that the motor was only running on 2 of the 4 cylinders, mechanic said he thought it was the switch box and that some of the wiring is down to the bare wire.

This was a package deal, with the trailer alone being worth the purchase price, so I was not too concerned about the motor, however I need to decide what I am going to do either fixing or replacing this motor.

From what I can see without starting up the motor, the wiring is not in great shape, and at one part there seems to be a complete separation of what appears to be a ground wire.

I have ordered a service manual, but hoping that someone could help me identify a part in the mean time.

I believe that I need a wiring harness, can someone tell me what wires the wiring harness replaces? Does it replace all the wires connecting to the switch box?

Thank
Shawn

 

[chum1]

Re: 1976 Merc 50hp - Part Identification / general help

Hello SOB,

Looks like you have a good engine thats all together and not in pieces.

Check compression and make sure all is well, after that it will be worth putting money in parts to get it going

the wires going to switch box are from:

1) the stator

2) the trigger

3)coils

4) ground and engine kill wire

the part in pic is the engine kill mercury switch in case the engine flips up and is just for safety.

i think the harness that you are talking about is everything in the lower part of the engine and can be replaced with new.

all the data to get this thing going is here and in the free downloadable service manuals

if you have healthy wires you will have a reliable turn the key and go engine.

 

[sobgtp]

Re: 1976 Merc 50hp - Part Identification / general help

Thanks Chum

I will test the compression this weekend, hopefully everything checks out.

I am sure that as I get into this I will have many more questions

Thanks
Shawn