Mercury Mark 20

[fullchoke]

Hello, I just registered and have a few boat motor questions. I bought my 1st boat(14' aluminum) in a long time to go fishing. I also bought 2 pallets of boat motors at the same auction, hoping to find one that runs for the boat. This motor has Mercury Mark 20 on the front plate, and is black with gold lettering. I'm hoping the paint will identify the year, but realize it could have been re-painted long ago. It turns over, but unsure about parts, and trying to get it going, because it looks old. Any other info is appreciated. I can look for a serial # if that helps.
Thanks

 

[Faztbullet]

Serial number will help...Mark 20 was made from late 1952 thru late 1956 and good old motor if not worn out. It is 16hp and the 20H is the "hotrod"

 

[merc850]

The early versions used a 2 hose fuel line, the crankcase pressurized the tank which pushed fuel into the carb; this can be changed to a single line like the later ones - ask these guys http://johnsoldmercurysite.com/phpBB3/index.php?sid=c1eedb7960442074f2594ee023b0274f
one important note: the lower unit uses grease not oil - I used Lubriplate 105

 

[fullchoke]

This motor has a single line connection. The serial number is 797136. I think it has red lettering where Mercury is spelled out, Black everywhere else.

 

[merc850]

Maybe someone has already changed it or Mercury dealer did, the serial Nr. is what you use for parts ordering and a service manual. The Nr. makes it a 1954.
Remove the drain screws in the LU and see what comes out.