mercury thunderbolt red and blue bands

[trapp]

can anyone tell me what year (roughly) the red band on a mercury thunderbolt 50 hp is.i'm looking at buying one with a parts motor but the parts motor has a blue band on it. i'm wandering if the parts are even interchangeable. especialy the lower units... i can't get the serial # from him because the motors are 2 hrs away...it's running but needs lower unit work.if the blue band unit will fit on the red band engine,than it's a good deal at $250.....any imput would be helpful.thanks

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: mercury thunderbolt red and blue bands

Well....that's not a very good way to ID a motor. Lots of people swap cowls. But; here's a cool way to ID the year if everything is original. This site sells decals for every year and model. You can look through them year by year very quickly.

http://www.nymarine.ca/mercdeclist.html

Chuck

 

[chrome dome]

Re: mercury thunderbolt red and blue bands

redbands- around 1967-1971
bluebands-
around 1972-1983
and had different graphics for each series,
wot fits?....dunno,
sorry about that chief

 

[trapp]

Re: mercury thunderbolt red and blue bands

ya i know, but it gives me a little info about what i may be getting into if they are original..before i drive two hrs to get them..looks like one's a 68 and the other is a 72 or 73. thanks chuck. any idea if the lower ends would swap on those motors.. i'm gonna keep that site info thou. thanks again