What is a 1966 Merc 500 woth?

[DR Minnesota]

I have been trying to find out what my mercury 500 is worth and can not find any for sale or a place where I check the value. It is in excellent condition with the controls. The serial#2013014 and I believe it is a 1966. Any help with giving me an idea what it is worth would be greatly appreciated. I have a person waiting for me to set a price. Thank you Maybe some one here needs this clean motor.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: What is a 1966 Merc 500 woth?

Can it be demonstrated to run? Is the wiring in the controls in good shape? When was the waterpump last serviced? Any evidence of water in the gear oil? Long or short shaft? All of these can affect value. Region of sale can, too. Old motors are quite common in freshwater, short season Minnesota. Not so common in saltwater, year-round Florida.

That said, I sold a running 1968 Merc 500 for $400 a few years ago, with controls. I don't think I could get any more than that now.

 

[nathanhooper]

Re: What is a 1966 Merc 500 woth?

I just bought a 1968 Merc 500, short shaft, for $200. I did not run it before I bought it, but I did check compression. I could tell that it had not been into before because of those neat little things that Merc puts on their bolts. I know the guy however, I work with him, so that makes me feel a lot better about the deal. He told me it had been sitting for about 5 years or so. So I am not going to attempt to start it without redoing the water pump and such.

I think I really walked away with a good deal. I might be proven wrong, but I feel good about it. Thats what I said about my other boat and motor I traded a vehicle for though, and it is sitting apart in my workshop waiting to be rebuilt, lol. I never got to run it on the lake.

So, if you are really wanting it, at the very least spend $10-20 bucks and buy a compression checker, and check the compression. Mine all hit 80, all but the lower one, and I think that it was because I did not have a good connection. I believe it was low because of #1 my gauge, and #2 because it had been sitting for the last 5 years.

Offer him $200-300 and duck when he takes a swing at you. lol

Oh, by the way. Mine came with cables and controls that are in very, very good condition. Them alone are probably worth half of what I paid.

 

[DR Minnesota]

Re: What is a 1966 Merc 500 worth?

Re: What is a 1966 Merc 500 worth?

Chinewalker

It has never failed me with with the first start the first start of the year or any time. About 6 squeezes of the bulb, chock and run.
Wiring is like new, controls all are in great condition. I would suggest the pump be changed because of aging. No water in the lower unit when ever I change it yearly before I put it away. And it is a log shaft. The prop is in great condition and it has a dolphin fin. I have been checking around Minnesota and there just does not seem to be any around. Thanks, I have seen a few when searching, but they have ranged from $250 non running to 875.00 that appear to be compared to mine. ????

Thanks again for helping me out

 

[DR Minnesota]

Re: What is a 1966 Merc 500 woth?

Nathan,

I am selling mine and don't know what ask. I have had it since '98. I want to get what it is worth and not screw myself or the buyer. I just want to be fair. Thanks for your help Nathan, It looks like what ever I say will either be to much or to little. I guess I will throw a price out and see what the guy thinks. With the few I have seen it appears that I should ask about 750. I check the compression a couple years ago and they were equal and I don't remember the pressure but it was tops I remember. And it does have all the controls and they are in great condition. Choke and everything works.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: What is a 1966 Merc 500 woth?

My opinion is that you'll have very few or no takers for $750. That's just too much money for a motor that old. If you're willing to demonstrate it and it runs perfect and the lower unit seals are good, I'd think 4 or 500 bucks would still be top dollar.
For $750, a person could make a nice down payment on a new motor and get a warranty.
Again, just my opinion,
JBJ

 

[cannonford57]

Re: What is a 1966 Merc 500 woth?

got to go with jb on this one,if someone offered 4 or 5 on the motor dont let them get away.