Mercury thunderbolt 500

[Dionw]

Hi team, just joined the page, I am in nz and have purchased a 50hp mercury not sure what age as its only got a serial# no other tags, unless someone can tell me how else I can find the age. Looking for manuals so I can get into it. Anyone have any ideas please?

 

[jimmbo]

Welcome to iboats

A Serial # can provide a guide to finding out what year. For Decades, Mercury sorted it Parts and Service Info, based on the Serial #, not on the Model Yr. This was their way of Dealing with Changes/Improvements to the Engine, without many Addendums to the Lists/Manuals

 

[racerone]

Post a picture of this motor.----What is the serial # on it?

 

[Chris1956]

You can look up the year using the serial number on the maxrules site

 

[racerone]

Not sure if serial # used in Australia is listed on maxrules.

 

[Dionw]

Post a picture of this motor.----What is the serial # on it?

Hi team, just joined the page, I am in nz and have purchased a 50hp mercury not sure what age as its only got a serial# no other tags, unless someone can tell me how else I can find the age. Looking for manuals so I can get into it. Anyone have any ideas please?

Hi team, just joined the page, I am in nz and have purchased a 50hp mercury not sure what age as its only got a serial# no other tags, unless someone can tell me how else I can find the age. Looking for manuals so I can get into it. Anyone have any ideas please?

 

[Dionw]

Hi team, serial# is 4071518 and this is the motor I got from market place

 

[jimmbo]

Just looking at the Decal, likely a 72 or 73, with a slight chance of 74

 

[Dionw]

Thank you, this a proper photo.

 

[jimmbo]

Based on the Cowl and Faceplate Decals, I'm almost 100% certain it is a 73
A 73 has Mercury Marine on the Face Plate, a 72 would have Kiekhaefer Mercury
In 74 the two blue stripes would have not gone under the Face Plate.

Granted, this is my 1984 115, kinda looks like a 71, cause I put the 71 cowl on it, except for the Bottom Pan and the Cover below it. To me the Best Looking Cowls were the Red Decal ones

 

[Dionw]

Based on the Cowl and Faceplate Decals, I'm almost 100% certain it is a 73
A 73 has Mercury Marine on the Face Plate, a 72 would have Kiekhaefer Mercury
In 74 the two blue stripes would have not gone under the Face Plate.

Thank you jimmbo, this is only a $100 project as I have a little time on my hands. My wife and I are care givers for her elderly parents, dads 86 and mum is 81 with progressive dementia, have to choose my times when I can use my power and battery tools. I'm thinking I have my work cut out for me haha

 

[racerone]

Serial # for American models says it is a 1974.

 

[Dionw]

Serial # for American models says it is a 1974.

Thank you, gives me some spec on parts etc...

 

[Dionw]

Will keep updates going, if that's ok guys, I have just finished my motor stand, not pretty but it will do

 

[Faztbullet]

First thing to check is compression especially cyl #1 and #4

 

[Dionw]

I can't check compression yet, it is in gear and are having trouble getting it out of gear, will keep on going, if you have any ideas I would appreciate it, yes I'm not a mechanic but have some idea on mechanics.

 

[Faztbullet]

You can jump the solenoid with a starter button after you remove prop to test

 

[Dionw]

Thank you I will give it a go.

 

[Dionw]

Hi team, just an update, pulled bottom leg off and there's no housing or impeller, I am feeling this was a parts motor and wasn't advertised as that. Oh well I can now try for spark and compression etc as I have freed up the gear selector as it wasn't even in the sleeve.

 

[1960 Starflite]

Is that shaft worn under size at impeller location or a visual thing?