Newbie with questions on 63 merc 650!

[Redfish 63]

Hi everyone! Thanks for any help in advance. My 1963 merc 650 65hp won't lock onto motor bracket when in reverse. Also goes into gear really hard with a loud clank. Is the clank normal for older motors? How can I fix the not locking issue? The clank happens from idle to forward and reverse. Also can the idle lever cable be adjusted? I dont think its dropping the idle all the way down where it should be.

 

[1960 Starflite]

Re: Newbie with questions on 63 merc 650!

The engine should latch in netural and reverse and release in forward gear. There is a hook that latches over the trim rod and is controled by a cam within the lower unit. The cam ramps as the shift linkage rotates in the lower unit. The cam is either indexed wrong or has been left out when the water pump was replaced. The lower unit must be removed to correct.

As to the idle, remove the engine cover and observe if the magnito is returning to the idle stop screw as you return the control lever to idle. If not remove the cable from engine, hold the magnito against the stop and then adjust the cable length. If the magnito is against the stop, try adjusting the stop, this will again change the cable length.

I am having just the reverse problem with mine. The engine just wont idle at all. I'm going to try a few other things before I post for help. My Merc 650 is S/N 1543773 and think it is also a 1963 but the color is Black, not white. Thought 1963 Merc was White ???

 

[Redfish 63]

Re: Newbie with questions on 63 merc 650!

Thanks for the info I will check it out this afternoon. My motor is also black was told by mercs and more according to sn mine is a 63. They also told me the cam is just plastic not too expensive. Thanks. How hard and involved is it to drop lower unit?

 

[1960 Starflite]

Re: Newbie with questions on 63 merc 650!

Not too hard of a job, I've been there a few times. 1st some say shift to netural and some say shift to forward. When going together the cam will work against the spring plunger for the latch. (mine is brass)
Tools needed: 5/8" open end wrench, 5/8" socket, 5/16" allen wrench. (helper to hold it up on refit).
Remove the trim tab with the allen (hole in housing above tab), there is a bolt under the tab. Then four more nuts to remove and it should drop. Whatever gear you shift into, leave it there and don't turn the spline coupling in the lower unit.

Leave enough room under the unit as the pinion/powerhead shaft is rather long. Grease the upper spline on refit, NO grease on top of the shaft.

You might as well replace the water pump and or the impeller while it's apart.

BTW What are the first four numbers of your S/N?