Re: How hard to convert a mercury Mark55 to an electric start?

[twinrudes]

quote Billy J:

I would have to say if your asking this question your not really familiar with Mercury engines.I am not saying this to be funny or mean it’s just the reality. Mercury engines look cool but the parts for them are very hard to find unless you have been collecting them for years and know a lot of people that have been into them for years. your only good option would be to find a complete electric start engine of the same exact model year. Mercury was changing a lot of parts from 1954 and the next several years regarding the electric start systems. They would even change parts mid year if they came up with a better idea. I have gone thru the same thought with a 1954 mark 50 which is even more rare what I found out was to buy parts piece meal to convert was almost impossible. I gave up because my engine was all original and did not want to turn it into a Frankenstein engine and ruin it’s value. If I were you I would leave it alone as you are going to find out even getting the parts you need to get it running as is might be a challenge and expensive in itself. If you had a mid 1950’s Johnson or Evinrude big twin you could accomplish electric start very easily. But a Mercury $$$$$$. Good Luck. Regards Bill,

Bill,
No offense taken, you are correct in your assumption!!
New to outboards for the most part, been an inboard wooden boat guy for years.
Restoring a vintage 55 Lyman with a 55 Mark 55, I really like these engines.
Ideally I’d like to find a 55 E engine, I am not wanting to modify this engine at all.
I think I’m going to just clean this engine up, and keep it.
I’ll keep looking for a 1955 electric start Merc.
Any ideas anyone?
Thanks,
John