I may have ruined my 1960 Merc 700E

[sabinaa]

I've got a 1960 Merc 700E - bought it from a grandson whose gandpa had last used it in 1962 (old stickers were still on boat)<br /><br />Turns out the engine was in great shape and it has been running excellent until now.<br /><br />We spray painted the shaft with an antifungal coat and I had taped off all the bolts and holes. After launching the boat two weeks later, it started immediately but then began to smoke right away. After about 4-5 minutes I turned the engine off since a lot of white smoke was coming out of the place where usually the water comes out. <br /><br />Turns out - I am embarassed to say - I missed to remove the tape underneath the engine wings where the water intake hole is. Apparently only little water had gotten through and heated up my engine. <br /><br />Now I have to wait until next week when my mechanic can look at it. <br /><br />Do you think I ruined my engine?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: I may have ruined my 1960 Merc 700E

You probably cooked the impeller, at least. Buy a compression gauge and do a compression check...cheaper than a mech, unless yours works for free. If compression is above 95 in all cylinders and within 15% of each other, Replace the water pump/impeller and run it again...only this time, remove ALL the tape first.

 

[sabinaa]

Re: I may have ruined my 1960 Merc 700E

thanks for your quick reply! I take your advise and make sure all the tape is off

 

[sabinaa]

Re: I may have ruined my 1960 Merc 700E

well - that little tape that I forgot to take off has cost me my engine! Turns out the 5 minute ride ruined 2 pistons ( they have a compression of 65 while the others are at around 100). <br /><br />I thought about it for some time - the engine came with the boat and we invested so much hard work and money in both - the boat and the engine. And since I really love my little boat, I pursuaded my old grouchy mechanic to rebuilt the engine. Its going to cost me 2000 with parts and labor - oh well. <br /><br />I know this won't make my engine worth more and I could have gotten another engine for that price. But my boat requires a short shaft and I didn't want to put another used engine on the boat - I rather keep the whole thing original. <br /><br />Some people think I am nuts - is it so unusual to do this?

 

[roscoe]

Re: I may have ruined my 1960 Merc 700E

no

 

[catmania]

Re: I may have ruined my 1960 Merc 700E

Ouch thats too bad, those are nice engines, but I think you will like it all the more once you have dumped all that cash into it.<br />I have a 1966 All-American 17'6" larson with a 1966 950ss merc. I would go a long way to keeping it stock, maybe not $2000, but a long way. Its sweet, its vintage, its all original. "its the '57 chevy of boats". Its from an age of boats and motors that were all really cutting edge.<br />Maybe i would use the 2k for a downpayment on a nice new honda 4 stroke, I am sure everyone would understand.

 

[technostingray]

Re: I may have ruined my 1960 Merc 700E

Wow, this old salt is really due for a promotion. This thread reminds me I have not done one of the things I should have done before I started work on this old tub and that is to do a compression check. After having it run I think that this ommission is not going to be a great sin but won't I feel silly if it shows a burnt port....<br />Since the updating process on this page is so obviously erratic I wonder If I will get another result if I query the board from another point.