1968 1250BP. What is it really

[Jeff Day]

Is the BP only the speedmaster lower and thats it?So much conflicting information.Number 3 scuffed the cyl wall.Mine has the bolt on starter brace,typhoon on the block.1968.Speedmaster has been rrplaced,but have secured it in mechanically damaged form.Wheni say it,I have no wat to be sure that it is original to this .motor #2400121.the motor is in very nice condition..xcept #3.I have found a shop to resleeve it but no one wants to put it back together and I knew nothing of Two Strokes and don't want to learn on my motor.

[largecar91]

In 68 it would have been a BP. The Super BP was 69. If it has a speedmaster lower on it and not a BP lower then it has to be a 69. You cannot bolt up Speedmasters to the 68. The 68 was a stock 125 powerhead. The 69 was a completely different powerhead and it pretty much was the basis for the 70 and 71 135.

[GENE LANHAM]

In 68 it would have been a BP. The Super BP was 69. If it has a speedmaster lower on it and not a BP lower then it has to be a 69. You cannot bolt up Speedmasters to the 68. The 68 was a stock 125 powerhead. The 69 was a completely different powerhead and it pretty much was the basis for the 70 and 71 135.

Well said Barry----The 68 BP can easily be identified by the 'studs down' lower unit---Not much below the powerhead is usable or repairable nearly 50 years later---

http://i67.tinypic.com/5o84mf.jpg

[Tom Smyth]

Pictures would help us to tell you exactly what you have.......

[Tom Smyth]

Gene is that your motor in the pic you posted?

[Jeff Day]

as soon as my son gets home I will get him to shrink these pictures down.it is clearly obvious that I wasted $20 calling the Mercury vintage line yesterday.I would be safe to say that the lower unit that I am receiving from the original owner will be a BP not a Speedmaster.so am I correct in saying that I would basically be rebuilding a boat anchor?

[Jeff Day]

353613

[Jeff Day]

okay I was able to email it to myself and get it to load that was an experiment.it makes me feel bad that I hurt this motor because boy this boat would run

[FUJIMO]

...Jeff, nice looking boat. You wouldn't happen to have a photo of the engine in question, would you? The BP?http://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=353614&d=1472251762

[Jeff Day]

I was able to snap some pictures before it got dark.however I can't seem to load them.I did it exactly the same as before but I have 2 large of file size

[FUJIMO]

From what we can see, in the above photo Jeff...That does indeed look to be a 1968 model year.

[Jeff Day]

353621

[Jeff Day]

2400121 is the number on the title.so if I understand this right I have a BP lower unit.next question who's got a good 1250 powerhead.this boat is a time capsule and I really don't want to put a later model outboard on there

[Jeff Day]

another concern is if I go to a later model Merc I will have to drill new holes.The gelcoat on this boat is almost like new.

[Jeff Day]

if someone has a vintage motor I would love to do some trading if possible.I found necessary Parts but no one to reassemble.

[Jeff Day]

353623

[FUJIMO]

Jeff, that gearcase(lower-unit), is a standard 125 Mercury gearcase for a production consumer, pleasure use, 125 Merc of that era. It is not a BP gearcase or racing gearcase, if this is what you are asking.

[FUJIMO]

I see the scuff marks on the piston, through the exhaust ports, in your photo. It might very well be possible that, that engine can be rebuilt with a new piston. Need a powerhead gasket set though & I would have no idea where to get a gasket set these days, for that old of an engine. They very well may be, no longer available(NLA). BUT! Someone on this board will know better than I.

[Jeff Day]

Thank you.Exactly what i wanted to know.I wonder why sn says its a bp.the invoice that I have just says they put a lower unit on in Akron Ohio in 1970.so another words I just have an old wore-out Merc.Nothing fancy,just a 1250.

[FUJIMO]

Thank you.Exactly what i wanted to know.I wonder why sn says its a bp.the invoice that I have just says they put a lower unit on in Akron Ohio in 1970.so another words I just have an old wore-out Merc.Nothing fancy,just a 1250.
Looks to be the case...

[Jeff Day]

I found a sleeve,piston and rings.I have not located a gasket set yet.

[Jeff Day]

no one around my area wants to touch this motor

[FUJIMO]

If you rebuild the engine, do not let just some old everyday outboard mechanic to the work. It has to be someone that is experienced with the older in-line six Mercury outboards. There are many important little idiocynchrocie's(sp) that must be known, that apply to these particular engines & frankly, I think you have a nice specimen there, lol.

[FUJIMO]

You won't need a sleeve. You rebore these engines. And might not even need to do that. It truly needs to be dissasembled first to see what it needs. Like I said, it needs to go to someone that knows what they are doing with these motors. You pull the powerhead off the midsection & ship it to the best guy you can find.

[Jeff Day]

on a 700 pound boat it would fly..if it is modern easy to get parts for or aerodynamic it is not at my house

[Jeff Day]

I cannot obtain oversize Pistons only standard

[FUJIMO]

no one around my area wants to touch this motor
No one wants to...because they won't admit...they know absolutely nothing about them. And they haven't a clue as to where to get parts, good used parts, or new parts. Honestly, they are not that easy to find any more, but are out there. They also cannot justify to you...the customer...the high labor rates they demand, the warranty they would have to give you, etc., etc...

[FUJIMO]

I cannot obtain oversize Pistons only standard
...This is not something you look up on the internet. This takes serious networking man! lol Finding old car or boat engine parts takes weeks, months & sometimes years! lol May the force be with you...I'm go'n to bed. ;)

[faztbullet]

Call the guy below as he bought out Nashville Marine parts and had boxes of this old stuff.Parsley Marine Service & Repairs
Phone: (615) 895-7559

[GENE LANHAM]

Gene is that your motor in the pic you posted?
No--I stole the picture--I thought it was yours, Tom---

[GENE LANHAM]

I see the scuff marks on the piston, through the exhaust ports, in your photo.

---Obviously, a very specialized 1250---with individual 'exhaust ' ports---:)

[FUJIMO]

---Obviously, a very specialized 1250---with individual 'exhaust ' ports---:) Correction...those other port "thingies"...lol You "had" to catch that, huh Gene?! lol ...Um, question? Did the 1968 era inlines utilize the little plastic "restrictor" plugs in the rear bottom corners of the intake ports, for fuel puddling/idleing like the later 70's inlines...can't remember?

[FUJIMO]

http://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=353623&d=1472261655

[GENE LANHAM]

Correction...those other port "thingies"...lol You "had" to catch that, huh Gene?! lol ...Um, question? Did the 1968 era inlines utilize the little plastic "restrictor" plugs in the rear bottom corners of the intake ports, for fuel puddling/idleing like the later 70's inlines...can't remember?
I don't remember that?----quiet,smooth idling was not a priority---

http://i66.tinypic.com/b9j2gz.jpg

[Tom Smyth]

Yumotor can be rebuilt for sure and the right parts found, but as mentioned here, the 1250 was a 2 year only motor and its pistons are unique to that motor, where most of the later motors used basically the same innards. It will take time to find the right parts, aftermarket may not be an option due to the very limited application of the pistons. I personally wouldnt mind picking up the motor if you want to get rid of it for something newer and more parts friendly.

[Bob V]

I don't remember that?----quiet,smooth idling was not a priority---

http://i66.tinypic.com/b9j2gz.jpg


Can you hear me now??? :eek: :eek: :eek:

[RogerH]

The distributor advance mechanism was a bit weird on the '68 1250's vs the '69s. Think I've got one of those distributors. Sold my '68 1250 to Bob Schubert after putting stacks and a SSM on it. Started life as a '68 1250 "shortie" on my Stevens SK.
353769

[Tom Smyth]

I would like to have a 68 1250 or 1000 BPMotor for a project. I have the numbers that they built back home. Wasnt too many of the 1250 bp motors built if i recall. Studs down.

[GENE LANHAM]

. I have the numbers that they built back home. Wasnt too many of the 1250 bp motors built if i recall. Studs down.

Largest collection of 1250 BP's was at Parker, March 3, 1968. Mr. Kiekhaefer was there. Fiver Mercury powered boats in the top ten. None were BP powered--

http://i66.tinypic.com/2n21v0n.jpg

[Jeff Day]

I would like to thank everyone who has offered up their knowledge.The call to the Mercury classic hotline was a total waste of money.I was late responding to this thread due to a hectic work schedule.I have contacted a couple vendors recommended here and also received a personal message from a fellow who has a 15 over piston.I may start accumulating the parts for the rebuild ,however I am not going to carry through.I just want the correct parts to go with the engine.I have decided to go ahead and locate a vintage motor that already runs good.I am not racer so to speak,however with a 700-pound boat it's not going to take much.if someone has an engine that is close to correct vintage I am definitely interested.I I am willing to travel.I must insist that I either see it operating in the water or have a compression tester ready.I will be recieving whatever lower unit the orig owner has as soon as I get back to the northern part of the state with my job.I personally ran the serial number through the listings and it was equipped as a 1250 BP.I was courted 26 hours labor to totally rebuild that engine.

[Tripps]

Call Dave S 757 665 1819 he is a master of that stuff he is in va

[GENE LANHAM]

Call Dave S 757 665 1819 he is a master of that stuff he is in va
--and Dave don't like none of them them there BP lower units---

[Jeff Day]

414350

[Jeff Day]

414352

[FUJIMO]

Nice, original condition. https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=414351&d=1533241700 (https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=414351&d=1533241700)

[FUJIMO]

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=414352&d=1533241942 (https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=414352&d=1533241942)

[Jeff Day]

Makes me sick that I damaged this motor..it's heading to what we call outboard alley in my garage. I ended up purchasing a 2006 Johnson 150. I would like to start looking for a hull to hot rod so to speak.There is a nice Wreidt 455 jet boat here local.Yank that 455/pump off and hang my Johnson on there.I ran Mondello prepped Olds for years, don't want to feed it daily.

[FMP]

Thirsty without OD eh?

[Jeff Day]

Yes and 4. 56 Gears..

[Dave S]

I don't like BP lowers.... That's why I cut em'

[Dave S]

414510

[Mark75H]

you are just mean. Your dog probably hates you.

[Jeff Day]

If I had the correct set of deflectors, could I run the more readily available 1250 piston?

[Mark75H]

If I had the correct set of deflectors, could I run the more readily available 1250 piston?

I don't know why this wasn't clarified earlier: your motor is NOT a "1969 SUPER BP", its a 1968 BP, which used a groomed over standard powerhead with standard pistons.

Yes, just buy a standard 1250 piston. That is what you need. The '69 is the special motor with a few unique parts. The 68 is stock with select assembly aka Blue Print.

Not sure about resleeving - the motor has to be VERY bad to need a sleeve rather than boring and oversize piston and rings. Might take it to a second shop for a second opinion

[Dave S]

Looks like the piston had some bits go thue the motor. The old mercs had the sleeve cast in and where the ports are there is an extra thick band in the sleeve. Best hone/ bore/ find a nuuda motor.

[Jeff Day]

The Piston application stops just before mine. Thank you for the input from everyone.

[Jeff Day]

Well you were right on the pistons. I had the serial number mixed up. She is carrying between 132 to 135 on the other five. I think I'm going to try to freshen it up myself. I have located another 1250 powerhead, it's a 400 mile round-trip but I may have to throw the compression tester in the truck and go.

[WaterZebra]

Well said Barry----The 68 BP can easily be identified by the 'studs down' lower unit---Not much below the powerhead is usable or repairable nearly 50 years later---

http://i67.tinypic.com/5o84mf.jpg

I thought the BP's mid section and exhaust snout was cool looking and way ahead of its time. I had the opposite reaction to the Twister 1 with its exhaust log and split cowl. Looked like a clunky robot. Thankfully the 6 carb Twister 2 came along and eliminated that awful external exhaust log.

[Jeff Day]

I've been watching the video of assembling that bottom end and pistons. I have a good friend who is an old Kawasaki mechanic, his specialty was the old 1300 inline 6 kzs. He says no problem getting the crank and pistons in, but for the price of parts and availability of many, I have decided to go ahead and find an old tower that is running good.

[largecar91]

Find a nice old 135. Bolt it up and go have fun.

[Jeff Day]

Yes..been scouring the ads.. I'm sure something will show up. All I need is good compression on all six.. I can do my own carbs, link and sync ect.