50 500 merc. year doesn't check out w/marinshopen

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dknims

Recruit
Joined
May 30, 2003
Messages
1
First post, great site. Have spent hours reading before asking redundant questions but can't find an answer on this one.<br />Just bought a 19?? 50 500 Merc 4 cyl. Electric start long shaft. The serial number is 9310901. Marinshopen says this is a 1980 2 cyl. Doesn't check. On the motor mount are the numbers 14907217E. Any ideas as to year? I need to buy a manual.<br />Also I'm concerned about the impeller. Put the rabbit ears on and didn't see any water coming out the back 2 little holes just below the powerhead. Am I looking in the right place? The motor sounded good, had great compression on all 4 (120psi consistent) and good spark (1/2 inch ark).<br />Any other info on the 500 50 would be appreciated. Does it have an alternator or do I have to charge my battery at home?<br />Thanks so much for any help.
 
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ledgefinder

Ensign
Joined
May 2, 2002
Messages
916
Re: 50 500 merc. year doesn't check out w/marinshopen

I'm not sure about the year - a dealer might be able to help. We can probably get you close. For instance, does it have 4 coils and no distributor (1975 or newer), or 1 coil and a belt-driven distributor ('74 older)? What color is the stripe on the wraparound cowl - brown, blue or red?<br /><br />You should have flow coming from a telltale on lower cowl, starboard side, towards the back of the motor. It's not uncommon for those to get plugged up. More importantly, the exhaust plate should not be hot, but should be just a little warmer than the water the motor's running in. If you take the wraparound cowl off, the exhaust plate is that large flat plate taking up the rear half of the port side of the motor. Don't run it if that plate gets hot - your motor's not cooling. If the plate cools OK, then probably your telltale jet (in the cowl) or rubber hose is leaking. If you can clean it out & get it working, it gives you some way of telling when you lose cooling, other than having the motor seize up. <br /><br />Your motor should charge the battery - I think all the black 50hp Mercs did.
 
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tmcalavy

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 29, 2001
Messages
4,005
Re: 50 500 merc. year doesn't check out w/marinshopen

Now I' confused. My 73 Merc 500, serial number 3,***,*** has a belt driven distributor and no alt to charge the battery. Hmm. Maybe you have an older powerhead on a later leg.
 
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