Outboard motor forum

Does anyone know of a good outboard motor forum.

Looking for some parts and advise on repair.

I have a 1973 Mercury model 200 (20hp) that I would like to fix up but the dealer says some parts I need are NLA.

Thanks

Go to you local napa dealer and have him get you a marine catalog. Then you should be able to get all the parts you need unless its a very obsolete motor or not a popular one.

John

Here's probably the best parts source for older outboards.

They specialize in used outboards and have thousands of used units.

They are incredibly organized and can usually tell you over the phone if the can help you.

http://twincityoutboard.com/

Try http://www.thehulltruth.com and http://forums.iboats.com

The deaker's probably right. I ran a boat and outboard motor repair business as a sideline back in the 1970's.

One thing that never ceased to amaze me was people who wouldn't dream of driving a five year old car would bring in a 30 year old outboard motor that come out of the back of someone's shed and then throw a fit when I told them we'd both be money ahead if I didn't touch it.

But--if you can find the parts and do the work yourself, it may work. Just remember two things. It's axiomatic in the business that outboard motor mechanics and auto mechanics are by necessity two entirely different breeds. And it's darned hard work rowing a boat back from the middle of the lake because your outboard motor wasn't reliable.

I have two of those..what do you need, recently I had the same problem looking for the bolt that holds the starter (rope rewind) together. My local dealer gave me a list of boat parts dealers that had parts shown in stock on the puter...several calls and presto i found the nla part in michigan, two days later is was here and it was the correct part.

Thanks for the help guys........

Rick
I needed one of the bolts that holds the starter rewind to the motor. The one that the throttle piviots on. I was able to make one using a bolt and some lock nuts so I got that solved.
Another part was the PLATE,RETAINER-STARTER PAWL. This is the round plate the swing out pawls fit in. It was worn and the pawls were sticking behind it rather than swinging out. I had a friend build it back up and then grind to proper size. It works fine now.
So I have the top end done. It starts on one or two pulls; idles and throttles up well so now I am going to move on to the lower section.
I have found a complete water pump on the net but could not find a reseal kit for the lower end. I am in the process of putting one together piece by piece.
While I do not have the lower end apart yet I can see that I have a little slack in the propeller. The backlash is a little to much it seems.
So while I am replacing the water pump and resealing the lower end just for piece of mind I am affraid I may find some worn gears that are NLA in there.
I have less than $100 in this motor as it sits and it runs well enough now to use as is; so I have some room to play with. I just want to make sure I can get all the parts I need before buying anything.