1976 Merc 1750 #344 off the assy. line

[VintageMerc]

I've recently acquired a 76 Merc 1750 with an entire complement of spare parts thru an estate. I understand this is one of the very first V6 outboards built by Mercury. The powerhead is freshly rebuilt and has the original cowl and decals. There are several sets of spare heads with different cc ratings. Power trim and tilt has all new hoses and rams, 2 complete intakes with reeds, spare pistons, rods, bearings, etc. I also have 2 different lowers and some adaptor plates.

I'm not quite sure what I have here and I'd like some help cataloging, assembling and testing this motor before I sell it and the spares on Ebay.

Think anyone could help me out?

[Mark75H]

Pictures would probably be the key element for best help

[Raceman]

If it's a production engine, I don't think you're gonna find big money in that engine from a collectible standpoint. There were a lot of em around and outboard collecting hasn't yet evolved into early/late serial numbers being relevant as they are in cars and some other collectibles.


Since you said lowers and adapter plates, could you be talking about a 1750XS? If so, then you may have something worth marketing to the collector market. Again, I don't think serial number sequence is very important, but originality of components and completeness would be.

[VintageMerc]

How can I tell if it's an XS? The cowl only says "1750". I'm not looking for big money anyway, I just want to sell it to someone who would appreciate what it is for a fair price, as I don't really have the room to store it. I'll try to get some pictures of it online tonight. As far as completeness, everything is there and then some. I know the original owner was a racing enthusiast and had intended this motor for racing.

[Raceman]

The 1750XS was a 12" race motor with a Speedmaster gearcase. It said 1750XS on the cowl with red stickers. The cowl was a one piece lift off as opposed to the clamshell type on production engines. The "adapters plates" in your original post made me wonder since the std engine doesn't use a lower unit adapter.

[Mark75H]

Thinking of the serial number of a full race motor .... #344 race motor is a rather high number rather than a low number.

I'm sitting on pins & needles waiting to see the pictures

[Raceman]

Good point Sam. I'm pretty sure the total production of 1750XS/T3's never approached anything like 344.

[VintageMerc]

Here goes...

[VintageMerc]

Page 2. Sorry bout the mud all over it. I'll clean it up soon.

[VintageMerc]

Last page for now.

[VintageMerc]

Took a few more this morning...

[VintageMerc]

One more of the power head.

[LakeRacer99]

That appears to be the standard Production 1750 engine. Please let me know if you split it up, I may be interested in the cowlings.

Also, the silver lower unit you have pictures is from an OMC engine, looks like maybe a 35-50hp or so.

Thanks,

[VintageMerc]

So should I rebuild it and keep it? Rebuild it and sell it? Part it out on Ebay? Junk it?

How many years did the V6 have sleeved cylinders? These are not chromed. Can anyone help me with wiring diagrams? Torque specs? Maybe some service manual pages scanned? Like I said, The block is fresh, but the rest is a basket case and I'm not too familiar with these motors.

[Raceman]

The cast iron liners in the 2 liter weren't a matter of years, but characteristic of the 2 liter engines. The 2.4's came with chrome bores when they were first introduced in 1978, but the 2 liters stayed with the cast iron. There have been a number of steel sleeved production V6's over the years including most of the non high perf 2.5's.


If you're gonna do anything with the engine the best money you'll spend is for a service manual. I think you'll find the factory manual a lot more helpful than the aftermarket ones if you can still get one for a 76/77 model 1750.