As a youngster I had a 5hp johnson seahorse, my dad brought home a 71 merc 20 he came across while looking for other parts for his boat. I could barely pull the thing over at 12 yrs but holy shit didn't that thing rip on a 14ft alum. My friends and I could water ski, and knee board behind that beast. Miss being a kid with an old school tiller handle boat. Good times.....
KIEKHAEFER ~ all the way . . . these Mercury motors were simply the BEST. My dad bought this motor 1967 with his 14ft Aluminum boat. We still have the motor and it runs perfectly. Damn thing FLEW . . . as a lil kid sittin uptop still remember my dad giving us a ride around those lakes in NORTHERN Quebec, opening up that Merc on quiet/calm waters . . . swear it was like we were going 100mph . . .. prolly only 25mpg tops, but still it has tremendous power. would luv 2find a Matching Boat 4 speed
Man, that outboard has an extra gear! I have a 1972 20HP Merc and it can't get to that speed, I'm jealous! It must be common for them to shake a little at idle, mine does that to, but idles nice and low w/o any chance of cutting out. GREAT MOTOR!!!!
Great little motor! That sound brings back many fond childhood memories of buzzing around the Chesapeake Bay with one of these on the back of my Dad's Lund 14 foot alumnium boat
I just bought one of these for $50 at an auction. It looks to be a low hour motor. The only thing missing is the choke linkage. I will probably fabricate something. I am looking forward to putting it on my boat. The biggest motor I own up till now is 10hp. I will make a video when I get it running. Thanks for the video. Great sounding motor.
Only 2 props are available for this motor. 3 Blade -9 pitch (power prop) & a 2 Blade 11 pitch (speed prop) I have this same motor on my 12 foot Gregor and it does 33MPH at WOT. I'm looking into re-pitching the prop to 13/14 to see if I can get more speed out of it. Currently it pegs at 6100 rpm (33mph) hopefully I will get close to 40+MPH around 5400 RPM. Also, another thing I am looking into is finding a prop that is 14/15 pitch off a newer motor-having the 8 spline hub pressed into it
find the - A4 propeller that is already cupped. I believe it is the same propeller number with a different suffix. There are (were) more than 2 propellers for the 20 not counting the Michigan Propellers. they are on eBay once in a while but you need to understand the Mercury part numbers. I'm no expert so I can't tell you more.
Mercury back in the day undervalued the HP ratings, so a 10 HP was more like a 16 HP. Smart move on there part. Not sure if they did that much after the 1960s.
I've just picked up the same old motor from an older guy.Just bought a 14 foot starcraft.Hope she's going to work lol.I'm only one year older than the motor lol
I have a 40hp Johnson SeaHorse on my 1962 14 foot Starcraft. It's only supposed to have a 35hp motor, but they are great boats and can take it. I also have a Merc 200 like this one, but it needs new wiring.
Respond to this video...Hi, take a look at the throttle linkage, there is an adjustment that limits the top-end motor speed. You may be able to get some more revs by adjusting it to the end. Also a bigger pitch propeller will get more top speed.
I have one just like this can't get it started. It's fully primed do I have to add oil to the gas? I know nothing about outboards I would appreciate some help
good video ! it's a typical 70's design, is it ? Mercury motors have now (2010 catalog I just grabbed from a shipchandler in Vendée, western coast of France) a more enigmatic full black body, a 3 or 4 blade prop, with gas exhaust in the middle of the shaft : you cannot see fumes like that anymore, I guess, but I'm not a specialist… Great landscape there Alain from Paris, France
I STILL possess my garage kept 1967 Merc 200 purchased new for $308.00. I need to install my two new ignition points sets to get it running again. Lately, at age 65 yo, I'm too damn lazy to pull the flywheel and install them. My dad purchased the motor for me when I was 15 year old. Best gift I have ever had. Many great summers on Lake Pontchartrain. On a side note...What's 10 X 308?.. and we can see why McDonalds (fast food) workers want $15.00 an hour.
What the hell do I care about a kid working at Mcdonalds, and how much they make? What does it have to do with this classic piece of machinery? When I was a kid, I only dreamed of owning a nice outboard. I had saved my paper route money to buy a 10hp Johnson. That was when I was in school, that was when you were supposed to have jobs like "Mcdonalds". Those jobs were never intended to support a family, or purchase luxuries like an outboard. Keep your politics out of this.
Hi Mercs were produced in black only from the mid sixties on. From 68-71 they had production red stripes, then from 72 onwards they had blue stripes. During the seventies however when production motors had blue stripes, they made a limited series of hi-perf racing motors called Merc Twisters with red stripes. These were expensive and are now rare. The foot is streamlined and other mods for better performance. The one in the video is a 71, not a mid seventies twister, so no not hi-performance.
Does this engine takes regular gas or it has to be mixed ?! Sorry I’m new to this things and I barely just purchased my first motor and it’s exactly like this one
Joe O Hi yes in fact it is two stroke. Not important what size tank you use although it came with a 6 us gal tank originally. What is important is that you mix 2 stroke motor oil with the gas at a ratio of 50:1. That's a pint of oil for each 6 us gals.
Joe O I would look inside for gas leaks on the fuel lines when you pump the bubble, and if you have leaks then change the lines. You can use a spark tester to see if there is spark on each cylinder first just so that you know. Other than that, these motors are pretty foolproof esp if it was put away running. Once it starts, you need to ensure that water is coming out of the water cooling port (if not it will overheat). Before you use the motor, you should replace the lube in the lower unit. There are youtubes for that, it's pretty easy. Good luck!! Wanna sell it lol?
2 stroke, 2 cylinder, dual ignition (2 coils, 2 points), Came with a 6 gallon fuel tank. Will run several hours on that. Will push a 15' aluminum hull at about 35 MPH.
i have almost the same motor somewhere begining of the 80´s what can i do to make it go a litle bit faster and is there somewhere i can get spec and exploded view thank u
Hi I believe the handle should turn around 270 degrees, or 3/4 of a turn. I think that mine turns a little more, You should post a video of the motor running!
i just picked up a cherry 20 hp with controls for 500.00 this looks new!,wxactly like this one , are the red belt or stripe one hi perf or they just change the graphics?
This is a beautiful motor. I have a 1969 Merc 20HP blue stripe, and I'm trying to restore it for my dad. I'm having a hard time locating a set of points for it. I've already checked oldmercs.com (I saw your suggestion from another video) and I'm not having any luck there either. Any other suggestions?
Well I know this is 10 years later but if you need parts call mercury and give them your serial number and give them the part # and they should have what you are looking for just give ‘em a call
How big is your boat. I have a 14' 1972 Glasco fiberglass jon boat with a 20 horse mariner. I just havent put it in the water yet. Its a heavy boat though.
@Starzz62 @Starzz62 Hi You can see a youtube video "How to Change Outboard Motor Gearbox" it can be a messy job, also be careful with the screw plugs as they are white metal and can strip easily. Look at what comes out to see the condition of the seals. If you mean the tilt lock, these Mercs are not locked in forward but lock in neutral and reverse. There is a thin wire rod that locks/unlocks on to the tilt pin when you shift gears.
Nice sound! I just got one yesterday(1979). Clean the carb...change water pump..plug..oil.. run like a New one. Question. I have 145 psi on both cylindre. Is that seem ok for those Block? I think is very nice but what is the avreage of those motor. Thx
Hi, my guess is it's running only on one cylinder. That's easy to check: Remove one of the spark plug boots and try to start the motor. It will either not start, or run just as poorly. Then put it back on and remove the other and try to start the motor. The same thing result would happen. When the motor starts, the cylinder with the spark removed is not working. If so, the reason is usually a bad coil. When you locate the replacement, order two and change both. oldmercs.com may help you locate them. Let me know!
I have just picked up a 1975 20hp 200. Does anyone know what the gear ratio would be? serial number starts 429 has a 2 blade prop. thanks for any help i can get.
I have a 69 Mercury 200 very similar to this one but I'm having issues with starting it. Many pulls to get it going and when I do the throttle is unresponsive. I can give it gas and it will take several seconds to power up. I'm hoping it's an ignition issue...
ediipooh1991 Hi most of these are manual start, I am guessing yours is electric (with a key?) If so then likely the battery is dead. if the battery is good then maybe a connection is bad or at worst the starter is finished. You should still be able to turn it over and likely start it with the pull cord.
ediipooh1991 Hi no the battery has nothing to do with how well the motor runs it is just to start it and to run other accessories like a pump or lights.
well sir my old piece of crapp won't fire lol Got no spark.I'm hoping it's just the kill switch.It seem's to be stuck in?????? But with my luck it will prob need all new ignition,coil's.and whatever else lol.I just want to go fishing man.
Replace the switch...I had to do that on mine. Does not necessarily need to be OEM. May also need points or at least file the existing set. New plug wires and a carb and fuel pump overhaul may be necessary.The hard part is an impeller (cooling water pump) replacement. Hard to get to and corrosion can be a bitch.
It's a 20hp so said by Mercury. Someone put a dyno on one of these "20hp" engines from Mercury in the early 70's and even 50 years later it dyno'ed at 27hp AT THE PROP SHAFT.
As a youngster I had a 5hp johnson seahorse, my dad brought home a 71 merc 20 he came across while looking for other parts for his boat. I could barely pull the thing over at 12 yrs but holy shit didn't that thing rip on a 14ft alum. My friends and I could water ski, and knee board behind that beast. Miss being a kid with an old school tiller handle boat.
Good times.....
KIEKHAEFER ~ all the way . . . these Mercury motors were simply the BEST. My dad bought this motor 1967 with his 14ft Aluminum boat. We still have the motor and it runs perfectly. Damn thing FLEW . . . as a lil kid sittin uptop still remember my dad giving us a ride around those lakes in NORTHERN Quebec, opening up that Merc on quiet/calm waters . . . swear it was like we were going 100mph . . .. prolly only 25mpg tops, but still it has tremendous power. would luv 2find a Matching Boat 4 speed
Man, that outboard has an extra gear! I have a 1972 20HP Merc and it can't get to that speed, I'm jealous! It must be common for them to shake a little at idle, mine does that to, but idles nice and low w/o any chance of cutting out. GREAT MOTOR!!!!
Great little motor! That sound brings back many fond childhood memories of buzzing around the Chesapeake Bay with one of these on the back of my Dad's Lund 14 foot alumnium boat
I just bought one of these for $50 at an auction. It looks to be a low hour motor. The only thing missing is the choke linkage. I will probably fabricate something. I am looking forward to putting it on my boat. The biggest motor I own up till now is 10hp. I will make a video when I get it running. Thanks for the video. Great sounding motor.
That motor is fast. I have a '67 Merc 20hp that looks & runs great.
We stuck one of these on the transom of a 16-foot cedar strip. Boy did it go.
Great looking and sounding outboard. Very powerful. Tall dark and handsome on the transom.
I got one of those for my birthday It's fast on a 14ft row boat!
That sound brings back so many memories for me!
Those old Mercs are cool looking, kind of like the old Mercury cars.
Thats a beauty. And it runs better then modern engines.
That was my favorite outboard when I was a kid, that and the 1100 but I always had OMC's
yep great motor same as mine and I get around 30mph too ... luv it!
Only 2 props are available for this motor. 3 Blade -9 pitch (power prop) & a 2 Blade 11 pitch (speed prop) I have this same motor on my 12 foot Gregor and it does 33MPH at WOT. I'm looking into re-pitching the prop to 13/14 to see if I can get more speed out of it. Currently it pegs at 6100 rpm (33mph) hopefully I will get close to 40+MPH around 5400 RPM. Also, another thing I am looking into is finding a prop that is 14/15 pitch off a newer motor-having the 8 spline hub pressed into it
find the - A4 propeller that is already cupped. I believe it is the same propeller number with a different suffix. There are (were) more than 2 propellers for the 20 not counting the Michigan Propellers. they are on eBay once in a while but you need to understand the Mercury part numbers. I'm no expert so I can't tell you more.
excelente video, great motor, i have one 200 mercury model 1972 and is very fast and thrustly , congratulations !!
I had this same outboard, had some trouble with the coils other than that it was excellent.
I love that old timey look on mercury's.
Looks like you took good care of it.
Damn sweet sounding motor.
Mercury back in the day undervalued the HP ratings, so a 10 HP was more like a 16 HP. Smart move on there part. Not sure if they did that much after the 1960s.
I read an article where someone put a Dyno on one of these and it dynoed at 27 horsepower at the prop shaft.
I've just picked up the same old motor from an older guy.Just bought a 14 foot starcraft.Hope she's going to work lol.I'm only one year older than the motor lol
I have a 40hp Johnson SeaHorse on my 1962 14 foot Starcraft. It's only supposed to have a 35hp motor, but they are great boats and can take it. I also have a Merc 200 like this one, but it needs new wiring.
I have a 77 85 hp thunderbolt, it runs like a scalded dog- it is faster than my friends 115..they built em rough and ready in the 70's
Going to snag one up today for $250, they say it runs, love the sounds. Is it worth it?
That is Fast my Scott Atwater 25 hp goes 25 mph with two people in it in a 14 foot rowboat. Kiekhaefer was a head of everybody back in the day!
Wow your boat was really planing
Respond to this video...Hi, take a look at the throttle linkage, there is an adjustment that limits the top-end motor speed. You may be able to get some more revs by adjusting it to the end. Also a bigger pitch propeller will get more top speed.
I have one just like this can't get it started. It's fully primed do I have to add oil to the gas? I know nothing about outboards I would appreciate some help
good video ! it's a typical 70's design, is it ? Mercury motors have now (2010 catalog I just grabbed from a shipchandler in Vendée, western coast of France) a more enigmatic full black body, a 3 or 4 blade prop, with gas exhaust in the middle of the shaft : you cannot see fumes like that anymore, I guess, but I'm not a specialist…
Great landscape there
Alain from Paris, France
I STILL possess my garage kept 1967 Merc 200 purchased new for $308.00. I need to install my two new ignition points sets to get it running again. Lately, at age 65 yo, I'm too damn lazy to pull the flywheel and install them.
My dad purchased the motor for me when I was 15 year old. Best gift I have ever had. Many great summers on Lake Pontchartrain.
On a side note...What's 10 X 308?.. and we can see why McDonalds (fast food) workers want $15.00 an hour.
What the hell do I care about a kid working at Mcdonalds, and how much they make? What does it have to do with this classic piece of machinery? When I was a kid, I only dreamed of owning a nice outboard. I had saved my paper route money to buy a 10hp Johnson. That was when I was in school, that was when you were supposed to have jobs like "Mcdonalds". Those jobs were never intended to support a family, or purchase luxuries like an outboard. Keep your politics out of this.
What size boat? That thing scoots!! Love them older Mercs.
@Baker6225 Hi, it's on a fairly light 13 ft fibreglass rowboat. It has a good hull design. I wouldn't go any smaller than that.
Hi Mercs were produced in black only from the mid sixties on. From 68-71 they had production red stripes, then from 72 onwards they had blue stripes. During the seventies however when production motors had blue stripes, they made a limited series of hi-perf racing motors called Merc Twisters with red stripes. These were expensive and are now rare. The foot is streamlined and other mods for better performance. The one in the video is a 71, not a mid seventies twister, so no not hi-performance.
That thing really moves! what size boat is that beauty on?
Does this engine takes regular gas or it has to be mixed ?! Sorry I’m new to this things and I barely just purchased my first motor and it’s exactly like this one
Very nice motor.
I have always wondered, what makes a Mercury engine go so fast?
what size is that 2 blade prop i love it
i used to have one till ast winter when crackheads broke in and stole my 1967 merc 20hp never saw it again.. i liked it
I have the same 20 hp. Purchased new from T Eaton company Nov 25 1971. Never been in the water. Is this worth something as maybe a collectible?
Best sounding outboards
+adam young Best smelling outboards, too.
The water looks so nice and calm. Where is this? My Yamaha 25HP on a 14ft aluminum, doesn't seem as fast at this. But then again the water is choppy.
I just got a motor just like that from my grandfathers basement. I was wondering if it was a 2 stroke and was size fuel tank do you recommend using?
Joe O Hi yes in fact it is two stroke. Not important what size tank you use although it came with a 6 us gal tank originally. What is important is that you mix 2 stroke motor oil with the gas at a ratio of 50:1. That's a pint of oil for each 6 us gals.
***** sounds great! Do you think it will be hard to get running? What do you recommend doing to the motor before I try to start it?
Joe O I would look inside for gas leaks on the fuel lines when you pump the bubble, and if you have leaks then change the lines. You can use a spark tester to see if there is spark on each cylinder first just so that you know. Other than that, these motors are pretty foolproof esp if it was put away running. Once it starts, you need to ensure that water is coming out of the water cooling port (if not it will overheat). Before you use the motor, you should replace the lube in the lower unit. There are youtubes for that, it's pretty easy. Good luck!! Wanna sell it lol?
***** I will check it out and hopefully have it running soon. I don't think I want to sell it just yet haha.
2 stroke, 2 cylinder, dual ignition (2 coils, 2 points), Came with a 6 gallon fuel tank. Will run several hours on that. Will push a 15' aluminum hull at about 35 MPH.
damn thats fast! i love mercs
I got many years of fun out of my '67 Merc 200. Last time I tried to use it, it would not start. Too lazy to go thru it and get it running again.
Another ROCKET!
dame dude she runs good!!!
i have almost the same motor somewhere begining of the 80´s
what can i do to make it go a litle bit faster and is there somewhere i can get spec and exploded view
thank u
that is so bad ass
Hi I believe the handle should turn around 270 degrees, or 3/4 of a turn. I think that mine turns a little more, You should post a video of the motor running!
You went a long way
i just picked up a cherry 20 hp with controls for 500.00 this looks new!,wxactly like this one , are the red belt or stripe one hi perf or they just change the graphics?
@skimmertime I bought a 1970 mercury 20hp and was wondering how to put lower unit oil in it and how do you lock it down? Please help
or if u have problems finding it from the outside simply take the cowling off and find where the water tube runs to outside the engine
hey that high top speed fast but NOT to be dominated that 20 hp outboard mercury can win you have a winner
that's a damn nice motor.....would you ever sell it?
This is a beautiful motor. I have a 1969 Merc 20HP blue stripe, and I'm trying to restore it for my dad. I'm having a hard time locating a set of points for it. I've already checked oldmercs.com (I saw your suggestion from another video) and I'm not having any luck there either. Any other suggestions?
Well I know this is 10 years later but if you need parts call mercury and give them your serial number and give them the part # and they should have what you are looking for just give ‘em a call
You don’t still have this do you?
How big is your boat. I have a 14' 1972 Glasco fiberglass jon boat with a 20 horse mariner. I just havent put it in the water yet. Its a heavy boat though.
@SkimmerTime Thats almost true my dad's 20hp's two worst enemys were salt water and wear and tear.
@skimmertime the guy said it runs good and he replaced the carb and tiller a few days ago
@Starzz62 @Starzz62 Hi You can see a youtube video "How to Change Outboard Motor Gearbox" it can be a messy job, also be careful with the screw plugs as they are white metal and can strip easily. Look at what comes out to see the condition of the seals. If you mean the tilt lock, these Mercs are not locked in forward but lock in neutral and reverse. There is a thin wire rod that locks/unlocks on to the tilt pin when you shift gears.
2 blade or 3 blade? What pitch is the prop?
Nice sound! I just got one yesterday(1979). Clean the carb...change water pump..plug..oil.. run like a New one.
Question. I have 145 psi on both cylindre. Is that seem ok for those Block? I think is very nice but what is the avreage of those motor.
Thx
Yes thats really good
how long your boat and is it a fiberglass jon boat
@prostovanka Hi, I guess in 1971 it cost around $600, today 40 years later, I see them around $500-$800 depending on how beat-up they are.
hey dude, i was wondering, would a 20 hp motor go fine on a 14 ft jon boat? when its recommended a 15 hp?
mine is not running full power can u please tell me what to look at to fix it it starts up good but won't open up and shakes really bad at idle
Hi, my guess is it's running only on one cylinder. That's easy to check: Remove one of the spark plug boots and try to start the motor. It will either not start, or run just as poorly. Then put it back on and remove the other and try to start the motor. The same thing result would happen. When the motor starts, the cylinder with the spark removed is not working. If so, the reason is usually a bad coil. When you locate the replacement, order two and change both. oldmercs.com may help you locate them. Let me know!
what prop are you running? the two blade or the 3 blade??
I have just picked up a 1975 20hp 200. Does anyone know what the gear ratio would be? serial number starts 429 has a 2 blade prop. thanks for any help i can get.
what size of boat do you have it on, just wondering cause im putting one on my 13ft. boat
This is a 13 ft fibreglass boat, probably rated for a 10 or 15 hp.
I have a 69 Mercury 200 very similar to this one but I'm having issues with starting it. Many pulls to get it going and when I do the throttle is unresponsive. I can give it gas and it will take several seconds to power up. I'm hoping it's an ignition issue...
I have this exact same motor and am having an issue with timing it. Any help?
@amjamm62 Hi, I only use super gas with 50:1 fuel/oil ratio, that's 500ml per 25 litre tank, or about 1 pint per 6 us gal.
how mutch gas does that drink in one hour in liters?
We have one similar to this but we tried it out on the water yesterday but it wouldn't turn on it only clicked!! What would be wrong with it?
ediipooh1991 Hi most of these are manual start, I am guessing yours is electric (with a key?) If so then likely the battery is dead. if the battery is good then maybe a connection is bad or at worst the starter is finished. You should still be able to turn it over and likely start it with the pull cord.
I inspected the battery and one of the knobs to connect the wires was broke off!!! Thank you very much!!!
***** would a bad battery cause the boat to run slower?
ediipooh1991 Hi no the battery has nothing to do with how well the motor runs it is just to start it and to run other accessories like a pump or lights.
2 blade is the "faster" prop.
Hey, so I am thinking about getting one of these but I'm wondering how much does this outboard weigh?
it's about 90 lbs
what is gas/oil ratio you are running?
50:1
I have this motor (1967) and no problem
what 2 blade prop u got
Пружину кик стартера где купить????
hi, what size boat is this?
What brand of boat is this and length please !
Hi This is a 13 ft fibreglass St Maurice (Quebec) boat sold by sears. It's long and narrow so it's fast but can also carry heavy loads.
How much would a motor like this Cost?
going that fast, you should back of the throttle a bit, uses way less gas
is it for sale, how much do u want for it, I need a 20 hp motor very badly
@skimmertime a guy wants to sale 1975 mercury 20hp outboard it looks just like yours for $900 is it a good deal?
Wait, i think i go here every august.
That's a real ne'er....swoosh
Do you still have this? I have some questions...do you have an email?
Has any one else run a higher pitch prop on their 20hp Mercury?
Hi It's got the 2 blade prop
NICE
wheres this
at 1:17 of the vid thats probably as fast as the 9.8 series will go
I meant to say, they seem to outperform johnson and every other motor in their day.
well sir my old piece of crapp won't fire lol Got no spark.I'm hoping it's just the kill switch.It seem's to be stuck in?????? But with my luck it will prob need all new ignition,coil's.and whatever else lol.I just want to go fishing man.
Replace the switch...I had to do that on mine. Does not necessarily need to be OEM. May also need points or at least file the existing set. New plug wires and a carb and fuel pump overhaul may be necessary.The hard part is an impeller (cooling water pump) replacement. Hard to get to and corrosion can be a bitch.
And that is a 20? The wake looks from a 35!
It's a 20hp so said by Mercury. Someone put a dyno on one of these "20hp" engines from Mercury in the early 70's and even 50 years later it dyno'ed at 27hp AT THE PROP SHAFT.
@SkimmerTime Yeah ok, sounds good, haha