Can anyone id this Merc ?

[roscoe]

Hi guys, a friend of mine is looking at this boat package on ebay.
She wants to buy this boat for her husband, and turned to me for advice.
The motor is listed as a 1980 Merc 80 hp, sn 2670511.

Either that sn is wrong, or I am too dumb to read the chart.
Can anyone give some insight?
Are there any visual distinguishing features that may help to id it.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Can anyone id this Merc ?

It's a 1969 model according to the serial number Roscoe. Nice motor....

This is a good site for old Mercs:

oldmercs.com

And:

oldmercs.com/1969Merc800.htm

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Can anyone id this Merc ?

[colour=blue]I see your dilemma, a serial number that points to a 1969 model but it's clearly not a '69 model. Blueband was built between 1973 - 1983. Each year had a slightly different band (single, twin, hockeystick etc). I THINK the twin blueband was late 70's. I know that they changed to a single blueband in 1982.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Can anyone id this Merc ?

get them to recheck the number. tell them why. may be new powerhead on and old lower.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Can anyone id this Merc ?

Hey Duna, What year did merc have the blue and red stripes that went to the rear of the name and then pointed down....just one of each?

I had an 85 hp like that and forgot the year. '84 should be pretty close as I recall.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[roscoe]

Re: Can anyone id this Merc ?

Yes, dilemma is that the sn says '69, but it is a blue banded motor.

I asked the seller to double check the sn, but he has not called me back.
He has answered several of my other questions, but not this one, or what the boats max hp rating is. I think the boat is only rated for 50 or 60 hp. :'(


I won't get to see or put a wrench on the motor until Saturday afternoon, and don't want to drive 175 miles each way, just to find out the bad news.

 

[croSSed]

Re: Can anyone id this Merc ?

The last year Merc. made a blue band WITH the chrome plated front cowl was 1974. After that, although the "wrap-around" cowl still had a blue band, the front cowl was straight black - no chrome.

TG

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Can anyone id this Merc ?

Takes all of about 5 minutes to swap the entire cowl set (face, wrap, top and lower horseshoe cover) from one big 4-banger to another, and voila, instant change in vintage! I'd go by the serial rather than the cowls, unless as TD noted, they changed the entire powerhead or just the clamp bracket with serial plate...
- Scott

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Can anyone id this Merc ?

years ago if bought what i thought was and 85 when i had it serviced the told me it had a 50 powerhead, 85 lower.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Can anyone id this Merc ?

Types of ignition system::
mod 800 before ser # 4831999 has thunderbolt with distributor,75,80 and 800 after ser # 4831998 has thunderbolt without dist.,
So if I'm reading the book right yours will have The Thunderbolt with distributor.
Early models are equiped with a triangular fuel pump,later models with a square pump.
It appears motors prior to 76 use carbs with small cylindrical float it appears model 76 up use a squarish twin float carb.
Last year for 800 was 78 first year for 80 was 79.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Can anyone id this Merc ?

[colour=blue]Mark, to the best of my failing memory, 1984 was the start of brownband.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Can anyone id this Merc ?

As usual, 4 or 5 of you have come through with some real information that I can use. Thank you.
I have taken notes here, and will be taking a close look on Saturday, if he hasn't sold it by then.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Can anyone id this Merc ?

72 was the first year for the blue cowls, 83 being the last. brown was used in 84 and 85. in 86 silver with a thin red stripe was used. 69 thru 71 red were the best looking wraps

TexasMark... That would have been a 77 model

 

[roscoe]

Re: Can anyone id this Merc ?

It turned out to be a mess, in my opinion.
Serial number was correct (1969), faceplate is chrome and the blue stripes of course, and it had a distributor. Power trim pump was from a different motor. Cables were not right.

Boat was nice though.