850 bottom cowl removal

[stormmn]

OK guys!

HOW IN THE HECK DO YOU REMOVE THE BOTTOM COWL ON A MERC. 850>>1974 VINTAGE.

I want to remove the reed plates as it would appear that I have a bad one, but cannot get to the bottom bolts with the bottom cowl in the way.
will it come off over the top or do I need to remove the entire lower end.

the motor is insured, would the deep 6' be a better option and buy a Yamaha! ha ha!

also, the "book" say's never replace used reed plates, replace with new, I have looked and cannot seem to find a supplier of reed plates, and needed gasket, upper seal, ect.

are replacing the reed plates a big pain in the lower end or am I missing something.

stormmn

 

[dwco5051]

Re: 850 bottom cowl removal

Disconnect a whole bunch of stuff, remove the lower trim cover beneath the lower cowl, unbolt the power head and lift the power head off. If you removed the lower cowl bolts first it the cowl comes right off. Haven't done one of these in thirty years. About 5 years ago I started a tear down on a 76 850 and had every thing done but the power head removed when a gent came along and offered to buy the boat and motor as is. Sold it to him for about a hundred bucks less than I thought it was worth just so I wouldn't have to finish the job

 

[stormmn]

Re: 850 bottom cowl removal

Looks like the answer I did not want>>pull the power head, and no parts available.
deep six and a new motor is looking better every bolt I remove.

looks like a another 850 is going to be a parts motor....
worst part is, between new CDI ignition, trigger asmbly, carb rebuild, fuel pump, hoses, wiring harness, etc. I got a ton of $$$ into another junk Merc.
learned my leason.....

thanks

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 850 bottom cowl removal

It ain't that hard to pop the powerhead on one of those - don't deep-6 it just yet! The bottom cowl stays in place - no need to remove it to pull the powerhead. Just remove the cover over the lower bolts (I think it's held on by four Phillips head screws) to gain access to the rear studs and the forward ones are visible up above the swivel. With all of the inner cowl supports removed, wiring and hoses undone, the powerhead should then come off.
As for reeds - used ones are fine. Just make sure you get them in face down - do NOT flip them over! Better yet, watch eBay for reed blocks - they turn up from time to time. Those are good old motors - breathe some new life into 'er!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 850 bottom cowl removal

Reed valves rarely fail. How do you know yours are bad?

 

[chum1]

Re: 850 bottom cowl removal

I like these motors, if there diagnosed and fixed right they run very well.