Hello all new to this forum..

[powers55]

Hello folks, i wasn't sure on how to introduce myself or were to to put this topic, i just bought 1973 15ft Starcraft Nova with trailer and came with a Mercury 500 series outboard 50 HP 4 cylinder.

The previous owner had the boat in the family since it was new, and i think it was hard for them to see the boat finally leave the family. So the when i completed the transaction and the bill of sale, they asked me to please keep in touch with them to insure that the boat would be well taken care of, and well enjoyed by it's new owners, and i agreed.

This may sound odd but not uncommon, does anyone know of anything i should look out for concerning the engine and or boat etc. any input would be a great help

Thanks..

 

[racerone]

Carefully inspect wiring on the motor.-----Replace water pump impeller before you use the motor.

 

[powers55]

Carefully inspect wiring on the motor.-----Replace water pump impeller before you use the motor.

Come to think and i did forget to mention, the previous owner did say him and his father did change the water pump, and started the engine for a bit, and the water did stop coming out so they shut it down right away so. I'm thinking it was either clogged or they didn't install the new pump in correctly?

 

[BWR1953]

Howdy! :welcome:

Be sure to check out the Starcraft sub-forum here on iboats. Lots of great info and knowledgeable folks there.


https://forums.iboats.com/forum/owners-groups-by-manufacturer/s/starcraft-boats

 

[The Force power]

:welcome:

Never rely on what the previous owner(s) said they did, verify everything!
These are very good motors and properly maintained & tuned can last "forever"

However... the wiring (if not replaced/repaired) will be garbage .
as Raceone already brought to your attention.
We don't know how long the motor sat idle & in what condition stored

My advice would be;

Get a manual
Ask lots of questions, there's lots of expert Tech. people on the site
Replace the Impeller

Keep us posted

 

[powers55]

Thanks, for your advice I did start looking at the wiring and did find a couple of tired ones that needed replacing, I'm going to check the compression today and get an average. I will say the engine did fire right up when I primed the cylinders. Guy said he and his dad replaced the water pump but it only worked for a short time then they shut it down so. Hopefully, we get no surprises, but I did sign on the dotted line so...

 

[The Force power]

Yeah.......so they clearly were kwacks

Drop the lower leg & inspect the pump-housing etc. etc. & find a manual or "steal" as much info of the internet e.g

schematics

 

[The Force power]

here's Link that still works for now (just make sure you have flash player enabled

http://www.boatinfo.no/lib/mercury/manuals/mercury_1965-1989_40-115.html#/0

Print the pages you need