Need advice on Mercury 800 mounting

[maridoba]

Mercury 80 HP, 1979 or so.<br /><br />My question is about the pivot or pivot shaft that the engine turns on. It goes through the transom mount at the top and again through a bracket at the bottom just above the lower unit and next to the shock-aborbers.<br /><br />There is quite a bit of free play on the lower end of this shaft, maybe a quarter inch altogether. My manual actually says nothing about changing or servicing this (Selec). I'm assuming there is a bushing?<br /><br />My question is how do I repair this? And, do I really want to? How much free play is too much?<br /><br />I'll be really grateful for advice from someone who has worked on this problem.<br /><br />Shouldn't have bought this engine, but it's running and I'm stuck with it for now.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[alcan]

Re: Need advice on Mercury 800 mounting

I would not mind being stuck with that motor. You do how ever want to make repairs to that bushing. This may require you to disassemble the entire motor down to the major components. If your manual dosesn't cover the transom clamp area if enough detail you better get one that does. There isn't a whole lot to this part of an outboard so most manuals inculding the OEMs only give you a page or two of info. Most of the work involved is getting to it.

 

[maridoba]

Re: Need advice on Mercury 800 mounting

Thanks for the info. I figured it was pretty straight-forward but would involve major disassembly. My manual hasn't a single page for the transom mount. Problem here in the UK is that Mercury parts for a twenty year old engine are nearly impossible to get. If I start taking it apart and break anything I'll be out of luck (everything here is metric). Getting bushings and such are probably a long shot as well.<br /><br />I do appreciate the advice. It's a shame.