Early distributor caps

[reelfishin]

Does anyone have an affordable source for distributor caps for the older Merc 650 and 850 motors? I have two 650's and two 850s that are disabled due to the fact that they need new caps, or that the distributor belts are so old they can't be relied on anymore.
I priced just a distributor cap for the 850 and was told $142 at a local dealer, and the same for the belt, and again the same for the plug wires.
They wanted over $600 for the parts to just do a basic tune up on this thing.
For that kind of money I can buy another motor. That's basically what I've done with these, I've gone to newer motors and the older ones just sit. I hate not using them just because they need a few basic parts.

The one 850 is in total need of a cap, it's cap is broken and cracked from age.
The wires I can make, but the cap and belt are proprietary parts.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Early distributor caps

I'm in the same boat so to speak.

Was fortunate to find a complete "parts" motor with new dist cap, wires and working PTT for $200. Paid the cash and ran before he changed his mind about the price.

The whole ignition system on those motors are ridiculously expensive to maintain. What about the rotor? Have to replace the entire distributor shaft!!!! Thats crazy. Must be an inexpensive source somewhere.

I'll be watching this thread.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Early distributor caps

I've been looking for parts for my one 65 HP for a year now with no luck. The 85hp needs a cap right now. I am more leaning towards someway to completely convert the ignition to something more modern?
I was hoping maybe there was a way to do away with the distributor and go with the later style ignition?

I am finding Mercury in general more expensive to maintain than my OMC motors.
I gave up on a pretty clean 50 hp that needed a harness and stator due to corroded wires. The cost of new and lack of good used parts deemed that motor as parts.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Early distributor caps

A real shame to do away with a good motor because of lack of parts. I was very lucky to find two identical motors to mine (1970 merc 800) that I picked up locally for a song just to use as parts motors. Guess when I run out of parts I'll have to retire this motor as well.

I did think there was an aftermarket ignition upgrade for this series of motor. Don't recall exactly but a search of these forums might reveal a source.

I'm sure you've checked ebay and craigslist and kijiji for online sources of used parts?

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Early distributor caps

A real shame to do away with a good motor because of lack of parts. I was very lucky to find two identical motors to mine (1970 merc 800) that I picked up locally for a song just to use as parts motors. Guess when I run out of parts I'll have to retire this motor as well.

I did think there was an aftermarket ignition upgrade for this series of motor. Don't recall exactly but a search of these forums might reveal a source.

I'm sure you've checked ebay and craigslist and kijiji for online sources of used parts?

I have three of them right now, all need the same thing. Each one is in nice shape but needs a major tune up. One could use a new wire harness all the way up to the stator but it runs ok, it's just that the cap is bad enough and cracked to the point I wouldn't rely on it. That motor looks like it just came off the showroom floor. It was on a rescue boat in a tow that had no water. They somehow finally decided that they didn't need a boat after 40 years and a buddy got it at auction. He kept the boat and swapped me for a smaller motor he needed for parts. I actually would be surprised if that motor every really got used. Every one I have has vertical cracks in the cap near the hod down. Sort of like the plastic shrunk or dried out. I'm not sure a used cap would be the right answer if I were intending to run this daily, I'd want it to be new and completely reliable. I wouldn't suppose a used cap would be much better than what I have.

 

[Art Burkett]

Re: Early distributor caps

I may have what your are looking for but I'll need more info as I have some mid 70' mecurys one is an80 the other is an 85. call me 417-299-4762 ask for Art

 

[weldbilt17]

Re: Early distributor caps

In hopes not discouraging you on locating parts,my story is a guy that I work with had the sterring unit and controls for a merc outboard.I asked if he would sell them and he said he would take $25 for all of it.Well I kinda forgot about it and a few weeks ago he ask me if I wanted it still and I said yes I'll take it. Well, in his good graces and some luck for me he also had a 35hp, a 50hp, and a 65hp mercury he wanted out of his way so I took it all for $40. I'm presently tring to get the 50hp running and it had the same problems but i was able to use parts from the 65hp for it. So it may be worth your while to ask a buddy or someone that likes junk because it could be laying anywhere. Good luck on your parts.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Early distributor caps

In hopes not discouraging you on locating parts,my story is a guy that I work with had the sterring unit and controls for a merc outboard.I asked if he would sell them and he said he would take $25 for all of it.Well I kinda forgot about it and a few weeks ago he ask me if I wanted it still and I said yes I'll take it. Well, in his good graces and some luck for me he also had a 35hp, a 50hp, and a 65hp mercury he wanted out of his way so I took it all for $40. I'm presently tring to get the 50hp running and it had the same problems but i was able to use parts from the 65hp for it. So it may be worth your while to ask a buddy or someone that likes junk because it could be laying anywhere. Good luck on your parts.

That's basically how I get most of my motors, either I picked them up on free boats or they came to be via local scrap guys. I got two more that need distributor caps or wiring this weekend. I don't think there's much chance of finding good used after all these years.

Maybe there's a way to convert to a newer style ignition?

 

[weldbilt17]

Re: Early distributor caps

Mabe some sort of ignition from a four cylinder motor cycle (coil packs) or newer style electronic ,not sure how to make it fire properly thoe

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Early distributor caps

I ran across a guy several months ago that only deals with the older mercs. He has many new and used parts for older 60s early 70 engines and seems fair on prices. BILLS DRYDOCK,,,Mooresville NC. 704-664-1223. He can ship it to you. He has so much stuff hangin on the walls of his shop which his father -inlaw ran for over 30 years it looks like an old mercury museum.

 

[OV1961]

Re: Early distributor caps

Look for NOS (New Old Stock) parts at flea markets and swap meets. Generally people aren't aware how much new parts cost and you can pick them up close to cheap. I go a NOS 6 cyl. distributor cap a couple years ago for I think $25. I see oldmercs.com has it now for $160 Did the prices shoot up or what? See what I mean about even boaters not knowing what parts cost as the years wear on

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Early distributor caps

The problem around here is that there never was many Mercury motors, its always been an OMC oriented area. The nearest dealer was always an hour or more away. I was at a current Mercury dealer today, I was told they were a package dealer and that they don't carry parts. That alone would make me not want to buy a new Merc.
I need a few pieces for my 1995 115 and keep getting told that it's too old. So I can only imagine how they feel about a 60's motor. I've only seen a handful of these motors around here, most died years ago of saltwater corrosion.
I've hit all the local swap meets and flea markets with no luck so far. The few I've seen were priced higher than online.

I'm not too keen on used ignition parts, it's really a wear item in my eyes and should be routinely replaced. I can resin cast and fix the crack in the old cap but that don't help the worn and corroded electrical parts.

Did all inline sixes use a distributor ignition? Were there later distributorless or switch box motors?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Early distributor caps

I am lost about the unavailability of caps you guys are going on about they are available through any dealer heres a link for $115, most engines have a value that exceeds that. Even though the rotors are NLA there are still many around the main failure of rotors are the owners breaking them because they did not spend the money for a manual, saves $30 and broke a $200 part is not much of a savings in my book. Here the link http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...1&bnbr=40&bdesc=DISTRIBUTOR+HOUSING+AND+ROTOR

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Early distributor caps

I am lost about the unavailability of caps you guys are going on about they are available through any dealer heres a link for $115, most engines have a value that exceeds that. Even though the rotors are NLA there are still many around the main failure of rotors are the owners breaking them because they did not spend the money for a manual, saves $30 and broke a $200 part is not much of a savings in my book. Here the link http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...1&bnbr=40&bdesc=DISTRIBUTOR+HOUSING+AND+ROTOR

Doesn't the rotor wear as much as the cap does? How about wires and other ignition consumables. By the time you do a full tune up on these early systems, it would easily exceed the value of the motor.

Not that $115 will exceed the value of any one motor but that the normal list of parts required at a point when a motor generally needs such a repair does.
It does certainly exceed what I generally pay for a used motor.
In availability of parts like this will make me shy away from older Mercs in general. I have about 14 of these older motors sitting around now, most have been relegated to being parts motors for just such reasons. I would venture to guess that every one of them needs a distributor cap, wires, water pump, prop, and assorted wiring repairs. Mechanically all are perfectly sound but it's just not feasible to put 3 or 4 hundred or more dollars and labor into an older motor when a good used newer motor can be had for the same or less money that will provide better reliability or parts availability.

I hate shelving an older motor but even myself wouldn't want to be 10 miles from port and have a part fail that I can't get readily or that will cost me an arm and a leg to get. Being in an area where nearly all boats are run in saltwater and run longer distances, reliability is a real issue. It's different when you break down 5 miles offshore vs. out in the lake. Being without power in a large river, ocean, or bay can be serious.

Most of the older Mercs I get have been in storage for long periods, so they have very little run time. Things like timing belts, wires and water pump impellers along with other rubber parts always need replacing. I don't think I'd want to trust a 40 year old timing belt out on the water? I've had one break, but not on one of my motors. That's another costly part to replace.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Early distributor caps

All engines need maintenance, all marine parts are expensive and yes your right about one thing, it would take a fool to take a unmaintained motor offshore or for that matter anyplace. All of the parts that you mentioned are normal maintains items and need to be replaced periodical, if I got a OMC engine or Mercury off the trash pile I would expect it to need normal maintenance, don't you, As far a rotors wearing out on the old Mercurys with battery CD I can only recall one that shorted, but we have sold a bunch to replace those broken for owners and shadetrees.

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: Early distributor caps

I've been reading this thread with some interest. While the caps are not cheap, its not a real big expense either. With truck tires running $160 buck each around here, and lots of dirt roads, on the way to the fishing holes, I'd go through a lot more tires, than distributor caps. That being said, I also don't have an outboard thats newer than 1964. I don't live on the ocean, but I do live on the shore of the worlds largest freshwater lake, and I'd take any of my motors out on Superior ,any time the weather would permit.
I like the older motors, plus given that I was quoted $11,000.00 plus tax's, for a new outboard. I picked up my newest "old" motor for less than I would have paid on the new motors tax, which is 15%.
As Laddies said, a well maintained outboard should equate reliability. Even
those motors though, can and do breakdown, just ask my friend whos new motor blew the #1 cylinder, sometimes stuff just happens.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Early distributor caps

Just emailed my Merc guru. Been a old inline Merc builder for DECADES. mostly the 99CI motors. He has a MUSEUM of old parts, boxes of parts, probably 40 motors in the "shop". And the last time over..(stopping out tomorrow), I saw at least, 6 timing belts hanging on a hook. New.
I will be there tomorrow, and see if he will part with something. Good guy, ex Cop, now school resorce officer.
Best I can say, you guys needing something old IL Merc, send me a PM, with all info. Year, HP is all needed, and what ya need. See if we can get ya wet again.
He knows what he has, also knows what he will keep, but..??
If nothing else, we have a solid network parts old Merc here PNW/Nation wide, probably get ya a lead on parts if nothing else. ...

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Early distributor caps

I certainly don't disagree that all motors need maintenance but it seems that for the most part the only thing the others seem to need is water pump impellors and the occasional coil or lead. The Merc motors with the distributor and timing belt all need those items. This being an area where all motors generally see saltwater use, it's hard to find an older motor that's not in pretty bad shape. If it's not corroded away, its so well worn that the sum of parts needed far exceeds the cost of another motor.
For instance, I am repowering a 1968 Starcraft, I removed a good running I6 85 HP Merc, its got a cracked cap, corroded rotor contacts, cracked plug wires and probably the original belt. Add in plugs and a new water pump, plus a fuel pump since that's most likely original as well, the cost quickly goes farther than I could sell that motor for. I picked up a good used 1995 Merc 115 for $350 at a local dealer, it's got fresh plugs, a new prop, and its even got tilt and trim.
I put a new water pump kit in for $24 and it's ready to go. It's got perfect compression and still looks new. It came off an aluminum boat that they scrapped for its aluminum weight. The motor shows no signs of pitting and runs perfect.
I'd have double that in just maintenance parts on the old motor and this way gained a few horses.

I too like older motors, but on a boat that I take out several miles, I like having a motor with less to go wrong. The 115 doesn't have a cap or belt to fail.
Part of the reason I got the new motor cheap was that I removed it and it's controls myself, I was told for that price I could take everything but the hull, seats and trailer, that they took back. I got the whole gauge package, controls, bimini top, anchor windlass, and an older Ray Marine GPS plotter and fish finder with all cables.

If they pulled the motor and controls, the motor would have been double.
The boat had an hour meter that read 210 hours and it still worked, I installed it too in my boat. The boat was also a 1995 so I assumed it was its original motor. It was actually a shame since that boat showed no signs of damage other than a scrape down one side which was purely cosmetic.