mercury 350 help

[gramps61]

just saved a M350 from the dump and it turns out to be in excellent shape.my problem is i dont know anything about it's specific workings!it's missing the gearshift control arm so i dont know how to take it out of gear.i dont know what yr it is.it is all black and silver with pull and electric start.exhaust goes out the prop.has a small push button on top front to remove front deco plate and access removing band style wrap around cover.seems like standard lower unit length.i want to start it but dont want to damage waterpump but i cant find any way to give it water other than test barrel.i dont have a handy barrel right now.will a control handle be difficult to get?any online manuals or diagrams available?any helpful replies appreciated.thanks!

 

[Laddies]

Re: mercury 350 help

If the band is original the silver would make it a 1966, heres a parts link

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/selectSerailRange.asp?doc_nbr=350

 

[gramps61]

Re: mercury 350 help

so i got it on a sawhorse stickin in a barrel now.just aint got no spark.i'm jumpin the starter with a small booster box.i assume i have to do some wire crossin at the electric outlet connector on the lower side of motor or not?has 2 large pins and 3 small ones and another small 1 thats shorter than the rest,almost looks broke/cut off.i noticed if i momentary touch the big hot pin with 2 of the smaller ones i get a spark at the plugs.do i have to make some connection at this external connector to get the magneto to turn on and fire the plugs?also i was crankin it over with the plugs out and didn't detect any water coming out of the head discharge(?)outlet on same side as connector.i pulled a small screw/plug out of top of cylinders and put water in and it came out the side discharge outlet.crank over some more and still no flow detected from pump.heck since it's a 66' i guess it is probably shot?even if it's been replaced before(not recently).with the plugs in and cranking i noticed air coming out from slots just above the plate directly over the prop.but the 'flame decals' show the exhaust comin out the center of prop.got it outa gear by playin with the shift mechanism inside the housing below the carb.the block dont look burnt or nothin.the gears on the flywheel/starter dont look noticeably worn.i imagine changin the waterpump is major work?even tricky?special tools needed?any advice help appreciated!thanks!

 

[Laddies]

Re: mercury 350 help

If you don't quit arcing the ign. which is magneto your going to wind up putting coils in it along with the points that you have already fried. Ever thing that you have mentioned doing is simple if you buy a manual or next to imposable without one. Your Chose!

 

[gramps61]

Re: mercury 350 help

aha!i sorta remembered engines are designed to 'run' unless a kill switch is activated.since electric connector is unplugged,that should mean the engine should run as is.so if no spark,i decided to pop flywheel and woop there it is?a badly burned half cracked point assembly!just in case your wonderin,i didn't do it!the burns/marks were old and caked on!but since my probing of the plug pins produced spark from each plug,i assume coils/condensers are fine?i also noticed that a wire goes to the positive starter rely trigger connector form the points?does this provide extra boost to ignition to start?for now, i just need a new set of points?and by the way,the flywheel has a crack right around the center hub.i dont suppose i can replace the thin steel plate?i see it comes apart.i could just remove and weld it i suppose?so i need to know where to get the best deal on points and maybe flywheel plate!

 

[gramps61]

Re: mercury 350 help

got points at local foreverbeen marina.had em in stock!it runs!carb looks like it may need cleaning.not sure if fuel pump is workin right.dont see any water bein pumped!gotta find a neat little 2 seater small 8+foot homebuilt river runner to put together!somethin like a waverunner?2 pontoons and a 2x6 with a seat?weeeeeeeeeeee!

 

[kennyboater]

Re: mercury 350 help

the water pump is easy to replace if you have a manual