Can I put a starter on my 74??? 20hp Merc?

[wade42633]

I'm wanting to put a starter on my 20hp Merc I think it's a 74 model, serial # is: 3881356 I just bought this motor and don't know anything about a mercury. I've always had johnson/evinrudes . I noticed a place on the side of the motor that I think is where a starter would go but I'm unsure. If necessary I can post a pic of the area.

 

[cksetzer]

Re: Can I put a starter on my 74??? 20hp Merc?

I'm sure you can. I too have the same area on the side where it looks like a starter would go. I have looked around for a starter for my 73 20hp and it looks like they are a little expensive. Keep us posted if you do decide to put one on. Chris

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Can I put a starter on my 74??? 20hp Merc?

Can you put one on? Yes, although they are fairly rare. Best case scenario is you find a parts motor that has all the parts you need to add the starter (ring gear flywheel, wiring harness, starter motor with attachment bits, etc.) Otherwise you'll pay through the nose on eBay or through a used parts warehouse.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Can I put a starter on my 74??? 20hp Merc?

I will buy all the one's I can get my hands on, heck I would even buy a pallet load if someone made one aftermarket....

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Can I put a starter on my 74??? 20hp Merc?

It will costs you more than the motor is worth. .02
A well tuned motor only takes one or two pulls to start. ???

 

[wade42633]

Re: Can I put a starter on my 74??? 20hp Merc?

I'm finding out that these are indeed either quite rare or non existent. I"m coming up with various OEM part numbers, so I'm even unsure of what starter even fits. I did find a conversion kit that supposedly fits, but...when I cross reference the part number...it's 1 digit difference in a starter part number, it's not showing that particular starter for my model year.

Conversion kit is $248 much more than what I"m willing to pay for a motor that manually starts after 1 pull. I didn't see anything about a ring gear flywheel. So, I guess I'll just pull start!

Some of the part #s I found that might possibly fit: 50-514955, 50-514955-1, 50-893889T, 50-90983A,50-90983A1, 50-90983T1, 50-803900T and the conversion kit #: 50-90983A5

Found really confusing. I guess a manual is in order but, I even found confusing info about those as well....repair manual, parts manual, owners manual....which do I need?

This is the first Mercury I've ever owned and I'm beginning to think it's gonna be my last! LOL Johnson/Evinrude is all I've ever owned and know a little bit about.

Thanks guys for all the info!!!!

 

[merc850]

Re: Can I put a starter on my 74??? 20hp Merc?

This just came up on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/rare...1932842QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Can I put a starter on my 74??? 20hp Merc?

Bidding on it now!!!!