Reply To: Mercury 9.8 shift issue

[billw]

I see you’re a two-year member, so I can assume you have the right attitude for this kind of thing, at least. It is definitely not from the 50s; it’s from the 70s, like Dave said. Like Flip said, Mercs of this period had a very bad problem with the insulation failing on the wiring. I can almost guarantee your motor in question has this problem. If Dave is right and it’s a 1977, that will have a switch box (Merc term for “power pack”) that will have the same type of insulation. The wires go right into the switch box potting material. There is no good way to replace them, so odds are strong that you will need a new switch box. That alone is probably equal to the value of the whole motor. It will also likely need carb service and an impeller, in addition to freeing up the shift and throttle. All that being said, like so many Mercurys, they are good running, enjoyable motors, WHEN EVERYTHING IS RIGHT. This is not an engine you’re going to be able to buy and flip for a profit. But it might be a fun and rewarding experience to get it going, if you know what you’re up against, before you start. And oh by the way, if it has ever been used in SALT water, run, don’t walk, away from it. I live on Cape Cod. Ask me how I know this.

Long live American manufacturing!