80 hp Merc out of storage

crunch

Commander
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
2,844
First off, let me thank all of the posters here, I was recently given a 1976 Larson 15 ft. Tri-hull with a 1978 Merc. 800 that has been in storage for 4 years and you guys and gals have been a fountain of info to let me safely start it... cudo's to all !!!

I'll tell you how ignorant I was, I didn't even know it was a 2 stroke, I didn't know the fuel/oil ratio... LOL, I didn't even know how to find out what it was. (SR# 4835014)

I've been reading your forum for about a week and have de-carbed it with Seafoam with a gas mix of 25 to 1, but will go to 50 to 1 with a few more gals. run thru, cleaned out the tell tale with weed-eater string, checked spark on the flat plugs (very good:) ran a compression check (140 to 142 on all 4 cold !!! :) replaced fuel/water separator and squeeze bulb, most of the fuel lines... yadda, yadda. (when first started, squeezed bulb and fuel shot out of short pipe at bottom of both carbs) runs really rough at idle, smokes like a demon.

I think i'm on the right track, I have a kit for the water pump, have ordered a kit for both carbs, going to change lower end lube at the time I do the water pump.

I've got two questions:

The prop and skag are lightly corroded, can I sand them down by hand and paint them with a good enamel paint?

And, and here is the show stopper:

This boat weighs 950 lbs. The motor, 250? The trailer is badly corroded and needs to be refinished, the hull leaks at the keel (I filled it with water and figured where it leaks coming out, it will leak going in

I've worked in the building industry for 25 years, jacked up and moved buildings that were 10,000 times this weight, but not as delicate. Can anyone send me to a link for a home built lift? I can brute force it and over build but easy is better.

Thanx all,

Salmon rule.
 

AdamBlattel

Recruit
Joined
Aug 2, 2006
Messages
1
Re: 80 hp Merc out of storage

Whoa, I just joined this forum and I could not belive how your situation is EXACTLY like mine. I just aquired a 74 Hustler with at least a 70-80's 80 hp mercury...I am starting to work on mine tommarow and I will let you know of the details for sure...stay tuned....

Adam Blattel
"Your Amsoil Dealer"
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 80 hp Merc out of storage

post this in the boat restoration forum. you'll get a lot of help
 

crunch

Commander
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
2,844
Re: 80 hp Merc out of storage

tashasdaddy said:
post this in the boat restoration forum. you'll get a lot of help



Sorry about the double post, I thought I was posting the 2nd one in the restoration forum... too many windows open.
 

cnadianut

Recruit
Joined
Aug 4, 2006
Messages
2
Re: 80 hp Merc out of storage

Hey i had the exact same problem. Some one gave me a 1972 cutter with a 1969 merc 800 on the back. Same thing, i shot some gas in the cylinder and it started. So i had my upper carb and fuel pump rebuilt. Now i still have problems when i start it if the engine is cold. I got a bottle of quick start and give my upper carb a good shot of it, fully accelerate the idle arm and it starts every time. Kind of a pain in the butt, but it works. Oh and be ready to get off the idle arm it will scare the crap out of others on the dock when that old lady starts screaming.
Ran her for about 4 hours straight yesterday, I Love granny merc ">
 
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