Mark42
Fleet Admiral
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2003
- Messages
- 9,334
Friend from church gave me an old 7.5 hp merc. Looked up the serial number online and found its a 1953 Merc Keikhaefer 7.5 hp. It looks OK, but was crusted with a lot of mud. When I pull the starter rope slow and easy, the prop does turn. It apparently has no "gear box". Just "off, slow, start, fast" settings. He gave me the classic line "it ran the last time we used it". Looks like it was put away wet.
Good Points:
Shows no damage, IE no dents in tank, prop is good, lower leg is not dented up.
Its a nice twin cylinder, and is fairly light for a twin.
Gas tank is part of engine shroud.
Has recoil starter.
All parts are there, including the lower engine shroud.
Problems it has:
- The "throttle" control, the lever that slides across the front of the motor, is seized.
- Most stuff seems to be seized, from the mounting bolts, to anything else.
- There is gas in the tank, and the cap won't come off by hand.
- Didn't remove plugs (very rusted) to check for spark.
So it got put in my shed, and will be next winter's project outboard.
It looks OK, and it appears that basic ignition parts are available.
My questions are:
Is this worth getting running, assuming that I won't have to spend mega bucks on parts?
Is it a good motor to put on a 12 ft tinny and run the local rivers?
Is the water pump a "hard " unit or a soft rubber job that is probably rotted away by now?
BTW, can anyone point me to a site with the owners manual, or exploded parts list? Any info that will make disassembly easier is greatly appreciated.
Good Points:
Shows no damage, IE no dents in tank, prop is good, lower leg is not dented up.
Its a nice twin cylinder, and is fairly light for a twin.
Gas tank is part of engine shroud.
Has recoil starter.
All parts are there, including the lower engine shroud.
Problems it has:
- The "throttle" control, the lever that slides across the front of the motor, is seized.
- Most stuff seems to be seized, from the mounting bolts, to anything else.
- There is gas in the tank, and the cap won't come off by hand.
- Didn't remove plugs (very rusted) to check for spark.
So it got put in my shed, and will be next winter's project outboard.
It looks OK, and it appears that basic ignition parts are available.
My questions are:
Is this worth getting running, assuming that I won't have to spend mega bucks on parts?
Is it a good motor to put on a 12 ft tinny and run the local rivers?
Is the water pump a "hard " unit or a soft rubber job that is probably rotted away by now?
BTW, can anyone point me to a site with the owners manual, or exploded parts list? Any info that will make disassembly easier is greatly appreciated.
Cool!