Old Merc Model 200 tiller 20hp

[NPD127]

Two part question

1. I believe I have a 1976 model 200 20hp. How do I verify the age of my merc for parts and repair purposes.

2. Bought the motor and saw a video of it running three day prior to purchase. After I bought it I had to replace the shift lever due to it being broke and jerry rigged with a screw because the full handel had broke off. I winterized with fogging oil but noticed it was very hard to pull over.

Yes i I have it in neutral (I think). I can free turn the prop by hand. When I do pull the rope the prop does spin slightly.

But it it extremely hard to pull like it is in gear or has a ton of compression. It is so hard to pull it will kick the motor up like I’m tilting it.

Any help would be appreciated. Is there a compression release or something else?

 

[Scott Danforth]

serial number is used to get parts

 

[NPD127]

Yea I know but there was a way to decode it

 

[flyingscott]

I do not know of any way to decode the serial # of a merc. The serial # is all you need. That motor should not kick up when pulling itnin neutral. The tilt locks on those motors work off of the gearshift. It should lock down in neutral and reverse and release in forward. If there is a problem look betwwen the transom bracket for a hook. You should see it pull the linkage when you shift.

 

[racerone]

Post a picture of it !!

 

[NPD127]

Do you want a pic of the motor in its entirety or the linkage part?

 

[racerone]

Posting a picture of YOUR motor may help in identifying the year.

 

[NPD127]

Ok I’ll take a picture when I get back from the lake. It’s a split cowl that has been painted so if the difference is if it has blue or red center cowl that won’t help. But I’ll post one you never know.

I dont know what the capital YOUR is for?

 

[merc850]

"Full handel had broke off" if you're talking about the tiller handle it's possible that it's not set up correctly and instead of "START" the spark is advanced to "RUN" which would be too far advanced for starting; see if this image helps.

 

[NPD127]

Is that what would cause the pull rope to be so hard to pull?

 

[merc850]

That and/or the impeller is binding in the waterpump. Turn the stator (under the flywheel) clockwise until it hits the idle screw then turn it slightly counter-clockwise a few degrees until it hits the lever on the carb and see if will pull easier, use the choke too.You are starting the motor in water.

 

[NPD127]

Thanks I’ll try that. No I’m trying to get it running for the water. I never let a motor run very long even with muffs on