63 merc cooling system ???

QWKSILVR

Recruit
Joined
Jun 15, 2003
Messages
2
I just got this boat for free. Its in really nice shape and I'm anxious to have some fun but I'm new to and kinda ignorant about boats. From what I can tell, it a 1963(?) MFG with a 50 hp motor serial #1677059. I got the little muffs on and fired up the boat. Water was coming out of the center of the prop but then it seemed to stop and the (lower unit?) seemed like it got warm pretty quick after only a couple of minutes. So I guess my question is....Is the motor water cooled or just the lower unit? The little intake grates on the side where the muffs cover seem to be clear but with experiance with jet skis I know the motor could be plugged with crap. Although the motor doesn't appear to be water cooled. Unless the lines to it are VERY small. I've searched for diagrams with no luck. and the guys at the local marinas don't seem to want to help with something this old. The boat's really cool and the motor runs REALLY good but I don't want to take it out on the water before I know everything is working properly. Thanks for any help. Jeff :confused:
 

S.T. Marine

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
248
Re: 63 merc cooling system ???

There should be a tell tail or water tube comming from the exhaust cover.... Side where the distributor is on that exits the motor through the lower coweling or pan. It should spit water out there it might be clogged so you might need to use a clow gun on a compressor to clow it out.<br /><br />If still nothing you may need a waterpump kit hope that helps :)
 

QWKSILVR

Recruit
Joined
Jun 15, 2003
Messages
2
Re: 63 merc cooling system ???

So the motor should be water cooled? And not just the lower unit? I looked this morning real quick and didn't see any little hole, other than a square hole on the very back of the motor which I think the exhaust comes out. But I will look very close when I get home tonight. I think I will just start pulling hoses and blowing through them as well just to see what happens. Thanks for the reply :D
 

mellowyellow

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 8, 2002
Messages
5,327
Re: 63 merc cooling system ???

get a manual and drop the lower unit and replace<br />the impeller. she's most deff. water cooled!<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.
 

Chinewalker

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
8,902
Re: 63 merc cooling system ???

Your motor is most assuredly water cooled. The exhaust side cover (plate on the port side of the motor) should be warm (not hot) to the touch when at operating temperature. On the underside of the motor, directly under that plate, there should be a tiny (about 1/8" dia.) hole drilled up into the lower pan. Very easily clogged. The hole you noted is actually just an exhaust relief and should spit out a mist of water. Most of your exhaust and cooling water goes out the main exhaust through the propeller hub.<br /><br />I agree - get a manual. Check out www.oldmercs.com....<br /><br />- Scott
 

OhNoMrBill1960

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 7, 2003
Messages
43
Re: 63 merc cooling system ???

Hey Quick,<br /><br />Your motor is water cooled. I have a 64 Merc and part of the water is expelled around the prop but the rest is spurted out with the exhaust. I recently aquired mine and what I did was backed it into the water at the local marina just to make sure the motor was well immersed and that is what happened it sputters it out with the exhaust.
 
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