Info source for a 1500

[mikevr007]

Hello!!!
I have a 1979 Merc 1500. I would like to know if I can get a shop manual for it. Also, are there any good sites that have info specific to this outboard, without sifting through posts etc.? One more thing, I need good sources for new/used parts.
Thanks!

[Raceman]

There are a number of Merc dealers who frequent this site and I don't know of a better information source on the internet.

If you're talking '79 then it's obviously a V 6 1500 and shares many components with the other 122 cu in (2 liter Merc) V6's. If it's an inline and a 1500, it's no newer than 77.

Ask a specific group of questions and I'll bet the answers pop up around here. Same goes for parts availability. The buy/sell forums should help you locate anything you need.

[mikevr007]

Thanks Raceman! Now that you mention it, I think it's a '75. It is an inline. It seemed to run fine when I bought it a year ago, but haven't had it in the water. The owner told me that the bottom cylinder had lower compression by just a tad, no figures to go on though. I just want to go through it before I put it on the water. One thing I noticed right away was that one of the tilt cylinders was squeaking/creaking, can I buy a cylinder rebuild kit?
I REALLY would like to get a shop manual for it thought if they exist.
Thanks again,
Mike

[Jeff_G]

There are many of us that do a lot of inline work.
Used parts are avail. There is a newsgroup dedicated to inlines; news://news.kraits.org/bigweek.mercury-inlines

The Merc manual is avail $35.95 part number 90-75512

Let us know what you need.

[ShorePounder]

You just got replies from a couple fo the sharpest inline guys around here. There's a good bunch of em here. They sure helped me out when I had mine.

I've got a handful of parts leftover from my inline days. You didn't say where in Florida, but if you need something I may have it and it may be relatively local. :) I've popped in on the inline six discussion group a time or two and there's a wealth of information there regarding troubleshooting and all sorts of things. I know a little, but it's barely enough to make a drop in a bucket compared to some of these guys.

Good luck Mike, ask questions over in the tech forum, that'll get you headed in the right direction. A couple of us are known to scan and post service manual pics to help explain a procedure or a layout. ;)

[Raceman]

Mike if your engine is a 75 it'll have the big 1500 letters in blue on the sides of the top cowl and the front faceplate was black for the first time. The 73 & 74 15's had silver front plates. The top bolts that secure the clamp brackets to the transom turned into a hex for the first time in 75, unlike the 74 and older engines which had the old plastic covered T handles that Merc had been using since the 50's.

A lot of people around here can tell you more specifics of it by the serial number.

[mikevr007]

Yeah, I'm sure it's a '75. I'll get the s/n though.
It sure is nice to have so much good help!!
Thanks everyone!

[mikevr007]

FYI, the s/n is 4123166.

[Raceman]

Jeff, I couldn't get that link to open. Can you post a complete address?

[mikevr007]

If you don't mind my unsolicited reply....
Raceman, you have to add the news server and then subscribe to the proper group.

[mikevr007]

The news server is news.kraits.org and the group is bigweek.mercury-inlines.

[mikevr007]

I don't know if it's accurate, but I've found a site that lists the beginning serial number for a 1974 150 is 3752620 and the beginning s/n for a 1975 150 is 4125985. SO, I guess I have a '74.

[Raceman]

Look at the other details I gave you above. Although cowls frequently get changed, it's unusual for the clamp brackets to change. If they've got a hex, it's a 75 or newer. There's no difference between a 74 & 75 except the hex bolts and the cosmetics, so it really doesn't matter much.

I always thought the '75 was the best lookin in the line with the big old 1500 on the sides of the upper. Back then, the 1500 was the baddest mutha on the lake and those big ole' blue letters just rubbed everybody else's nose in it.

[mikevr007]

Well, now that I'm thoroughly confused......your description made me think it was a '75.....the website i found that had s/n listings made me think it was a '74.....and I just called the place where I had just ordered the '75 manuals from to make sure I ordered the right ones, took my s/n and said that it is a '75. So, that's a score of 2 to 1 in favor of it being a '75!!! SO.....from now on....it's a '75....

[Jeff_G]

Using your browser go to where you have newsgroups. This is usually with the mail program. Where it asks to subscribe to a group you have to put in the destination server. in this case news.kraits.org once there it will list the groups available in this case bigweek.mercury-inlines
That should do it.

[dragonwolfe]

My records show the 1974 serial# range to be 3752620-4121434 and 1975 as 4121435-4319879. So from that it appears to a '75.
As Raceman mentioned about the different changes in design to further establish it's age,if the clamp assembly had been changed for some reason.
This board is an incredible wealth of info as well as the newsgroup dedicated to inline 6's.
I own a couple of 6's myself and like Raceman said back in the day they were king
;)
Welcome
BTW what hull is this motor going on?

[mikevr007]

Hey Dragonwolfe, thanks for the info.
I bought the boat, motor, and trailer about a year ago. The boat is a 1982 (I think) Checkmate Enticer. It's listed as a 16'6" boat weighing about 400 lbs. I am almost finished with the a repair of the transom and a complete rebuild of the interior, including the floors and seat supports. I ordered new upholstery from Checkmate. I'm getting excited about getting it on the water for the first time! I have a lot of work left to do though, from the trailer to the stereo and everything in between.

[dragonwolfe]

Cool, I own a Checkmate as well. If you check your hull identification number on the transom, it will tell you what year it is for sure. I have attached the code breakdowns for pre 1984.
Best of luck.