New Merc Owner with questions.

sparticus

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 31, 2007
Messages
92
I just took the big leap and bought my first boat tonight! Its a 1965 Hydroswift 16.5' long. It has a Mercury 650 engine that came with it. The owner said that the lower unit was drained the last time it was used (3 yrs ago). So how do I go about servicing it? What kind of oil? Anything I should know about this motor? I'm not well versed in boat things (yet) so I will pick your brains if thats alright.
 

jebeebe

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 26, 2006
Messages
322
Re: New Merc Owner with questions.

Well,
You can get lower unit grease from your local merc dealer or Wall Mart as long as it is marine gear grease. There should be two screws in the gear case. Take them both out and sqeese the grease in the bottom one till it comes out the top hole. This lets you know it is filled to the right level. It will rise up through the driveshaft berring and come out the top hole. Since you don't know the motor too well, I would check it after you use it awhile by removeing the bottom screw and check for water or grey oil which will indicate water getting in the oil. you may have to replace the seal if the oil is grey. I can't imagine someone draining the gear case and not filling it back up again. Sounds like a reciepe for dissaster. Good luck..............JERRY
 

redjmp

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Messages
536
Re: New Merc Owner with questions.

Now if that 650 is a red stripe, chances are that the lower unit is leaky.
Unfortunately the prop and drive shafts are just plain old steel and probably rusty and grooved where the oil seals rub. Replacing the seals is not enough.
You might have to have the shafts rewelded or speedy sleeves installed to get a good seal to keep the oil in and the water out.
You will know after you fill it up with 90w oil and take it for a spin. Check the oil for milkyness. Don't run too far though. I had an old '65 650 that would totally fill up water in just a half hour of running.
The cheap way out is to pump grease instead of 90w in there. It will take much longer for the grease to get forced out by incoming water.
 

sparticus

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 31, 2007
Messages
92
Re: New Merc Owner with questions.

Took the boat out yesterday (10th) and all went well for the most part. I definetly need a new battery as mine seems to have a shorted cell that wont hold a charge. Good thing it pull starts easily so the drive out to the resevoir wasnt wasted. The motor and boat preformed well and we were all pleased wit it! I found some "muffs" at wally world for $4, they worked well. Thanks for all the inputs.
 
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