What's year my Mercury Marine outboard built?

[Joe-Au]

Newbie here, first post, need some one help, to recognize what?s year outboard built? Just bought old Pongrass for project, it came with Mercury outboard 80hp, the previous said was out of water over a year, but he lost ignition key, so could not ranking motor for compressing test, possible I can get replacement key or have to change whole ignition and key compatible, Did search, but couldn't find any details, so hope this side will be help, thanks in advance.

 

[Chris1956]

Joe, There were only about 10 different keys made. Take the boat to a Merc dealer, and he should have all 10 for you to try.

The maxrules web site has a Mercury OB model guide. Look up your serial number under the 80HP model, and it will give you the year. I hope (not sure) they have serial numbers for Australian models.

 

[ThomW]

Hey Joe,
I am thinking that it is a 1971 motor. Is it a 4 cylinder? From the serial number you provided, I believe it is a 71. Hope this helps. As far as the key goes, Chris is right, the best bet would be trying a few keys at the dealer and see which one fits...that or just swap the ignition switch out for around $50-$60.

 

[Joe-Au]

Thanks Chris & ThomW for quick respond, it was hard in here Aus, I've been couples place, no one had a key to try, ordered 1 aftermarket ignition and key, hope it easy swap over, just had other pain job, the steering very stiff, it hard to turn by hand from 1 side to other, it does not cable steering, when I removed cable from tub, it's moving freely when apply turn on steering helm. used heat gun, where is the sharp joint with O/B, it makes little easy turn, but stiff again when heat gone, so any way can I remove sharp for cleaning, how to dismantle from that sharp, thanks

 

[Chris1956]

Hey Joe, If your motor has a distributor (battery ignition), you will need an ignition switch that supplies +12VDC to the switchbox. If no distributor, but it has 4 coils, it has Alternator Driven Ignition (ADI) it needs a "magneto-type" ignition switch. The changeover from battery ignition to ADI in the US was in 1976.

Hopefully you ordered the right switch.

On your steering issue... Not sure I understand it. If the motor swivels easily, that is the best. Steering cables can go bad, and are hard to rehabilitate, as they are pretty well sealed.

 

[Joe-Au]

Hey Chris, the O/B hasn't distributor but it has 4 coils, tried to remove it from boat, now it sat on stand bring inside for easy do the job, just surprised nearly all earth wire was corrosion, don't know it's OK or has to replace....The steering cable moving good, but the motor swivels does not easy, have to use pressure to turn it, maybe add more heat, look like it wasn't usually

http://i.imgur.com/OiXT1Re.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5FoDKWK.jpg

 

[Faztbullet]

1980-81

 

[Chris1956]

Joe, The swivel portion of the motor has bushings. These get full of dirt and corrosion. You do not want to take it apart at this point, due to corrosion to the bolts. Plus the powerhead and gearcase need to come off as does the upper and lower rubber mounts.

Warm up the swivel section and pump fresh grease into her. I will likely come out the bottom. If so, you then need to coax it out of the top. I had some success lifting the motor up on the swivel shaft to open the space between the triple clamp and the transom bracket. That makes it easier for the grease to get out, while lubricating the top bushing.

 

[Joe-Au]

Chris, I tried nearly 1/2 a day, applied a lot of heat on top & bottom portion then fresh grease as you said, but the grease just came out top portion, nothing at the bottom, whatever I tried, when I applied heat at bottom portion the swivel turn easy, but when heat gone, it's still hard to turn.

 

[Chris1956]

Well, That is what makes it a game. Taking apart the motor to grease the bushings is a bear. You can inject a solvent into the midsection, apply more heat, more pressure from the grease, etc. Best of luck, as I know no sure fix.....I think the bottom bushing is still better than trying to lube a top bushing.

 

[merc850]

That rusty piece at the bottom of the swivel assembly looks like it's been cut and is interfering with the turning motion. It's supposed to be a strap that goes around the outside of the tube like Nr.11 in this image.

 

[Joe-Au]

Thanks guys, i found out the reason bottom bushing rusty, because the previous owner, he always mooring the boat on the lake, still play a game as Chris said, but hard, yeah merc850 look ur photo compare with mine, it been cut the piece of No11, but I don't think that is problem make swivel turn hard. Is it possible I can pour some acid mix with water in the middle where sniper remove to kill corrosion

 

[Joe-Au]

Surprise ordered the ignition and key aftermarket, received today, the key can plug direct into original ignition switch and turn without problem....haha

 

[Chris1956]

Why not remove grease fitting and inject some sort of oily solvent into swivel pin? I would hope a thin solvent would pass thru the bushings, while you swivel the motor.

 

[Chris1956]

Maybe a mix of kerosene and oil?

 

[Joe-Au]

Yeah, I did, removed grease fitting pour some oil, degreaser, while pouring oil in, i swivel the motor anything I pouring just came up the top portion, nothing at the bottom ... either made U bracket as No 11 on post #11, still hard, just saw local paper advertised for sale Mercury 85hp blue same as mine, don't know the parts interchangeable

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, that stinks. I would have thought a thin liquid would be able to seep past the bushing.

I guess it is time to tear it down. It will likely take blood, sweat and tears, plus some prayer to get it done, depending on corrosion.

I only had to do that job once, on a '73 Merc 850. After I simply wiped the bushing with a clean cloth, she was totally free to swivel. Amazing.

FWIW, I left the strap you have pictured on the motor, as the steering shaft pulled out of the yoke (loose fit). I also broke the bolt holding the exhaust extension around the upper suspension rubber mounts. That was not an issue. Hope your luck is as good.

 

[Joe-Au]

Get little bit better, save time to pull a parts, intend remove cab for cleaning, saw some wire broken or corrosion ate them, don't know where to get them for replace