TOPIC: 1962 Merc 1000 restore west coast

I am taking a long shot here and seeing if there is anyone in Phoenix Arizona that knows or services a pre 1965 Merc 1000 model or similar. I have been going through one and running into no spark.

I have been through the ignition system from switch through coils and now lost in the distributor.

I think I covered the basics up to this point.

1. Removed the tilt kill switch
2. Coil OK as per ohm check.
3. Replaced and rechecked the internal wiring based on the diagrams
4. Full battery charge at both positive post of the coil. (12.45v)
5. I can not find a cable short in the external harness between the switch and the plug or a continuity break but still suspect of the external cable and switch because...
6. Polish the rotor contacts and distributor post.
7. Checked the spark plug leads but since no spark on all 6 cylinders did nto think that wa the issue.

I did notice that when I check the voltage, when the motor is cranking, the voltage reads 8.5 - 8.7v. I think I read somewhere that needs to be above 9.5 when cranking or the external wiring is bad???

I also notice that the choke solenoid lead is around 7 volts I depress the choke button. I am not too worried about the choke solenoid until I get spark at the plugs.

I do have the points adjustment kit (wheel and special tool) but have be reluctant to dig deep in the distributor. Just taking the rotor off is a challenge so I have not got into the points yet.

The motor was sitting for an unknown period of time.

I have not replace the capacitor. I will be doing that next when I get the rotor off.

Any advice or better yet someone here in Phoenix that knows this motor service shop or advice.

By the way I read all the way through a 2 year old link on this page where a a guy tore down the distributor and was optimistic of find the solution until I read the last post. "Never got it working, sold the motor." Not there yet...

Thanks

TBAZ

If it is indeed a '65 it has a pretty simple 12V point system, no need to be afraid of it. That said, it sounds like the dizzy will have to come apart to examine the points as I suspect they are corroded from sitting and just may need a good cleaning and the dwell set. If you have the degree wheel and pointer you are halfway there, but pick up a GENUINE Mercury manual for your model, not a Seloc or Clymer and follow the section on distributor overhaul and timing. Not as bad as you think, and the system is very reliable when set up.

I got the rotor off using some pieces of wood as lever and nothing broke...so far.

I have the distributor pan off, on the work bench, cover off and ready to go. It is pretty gummy in there. . I do have the mercury manual. Thank you for the heads up….got lucky I guess in getting the right one.
The rest of the motor shows little wear and all major pieces have been more on the gummy side than wore out, missing or broke. It looks the same in here. So a good cleaning and polish hopefully she will find a spark then on to the next system clean up. Thank you for the encouragement.

Thanks and I if I run into trouble I am sure you will hear from me.

Thanks

TBAZ

I can scan the pages out of my manual for you if you like and post them, let me know.

tbaz wrote:

By the way I read all the way through a 2 year old link on this page where a a guy tore down the distributor and was optimistic of find the solution until I read the last post. "Never got it working, sold the motor." Not there yet...

Good Karma for not mentioning any names, I'm sure he appreciates that!

Great info in that thread, from some of the best in the business IMHO. Good luck with yours TBAZ, I think that guy went back to OMC's right after that. He was said to have mumbling something about "a man's got to know his own limitations....."

Thank you for the offer I do have an original manual. In some cases a fun read with the terminology. I am having to do some cross referencing on some of the testers as it is often written using merc test devices. I have been traveling with work for almost three weeks but home now.

I will be diving in this week

Thanks

TBAZ

I'm following this thread as I just picked up a 1964 1000 myself. Don't need it, have no boat for it, but couldn't pass it up. Came with a boat and trailer too but I will pass them on to someone else maybe with another outboard on it. Going to clean it up and run compression test this weekend. It still has the factory seal on it too.

I've just acquired a 1962 Merc 1000 so I'll hope to see more info here. At some point I'll need to find parts.

I have a pretty decent selection of good used parts for the early 1000 Mercs (and lots of other '60s-'80s inline-6 Mercs.
Doc