Mix Ratio for 1978 1400 Merc

[Sleddogsassp]

I just got a 1978 Merc 1400 from a friend who stored it for 22 years. Took the most part of a day to get it clean and ready to mount. The only mechanical issue I seem to have is the nuetral/reverse lock down won't engage. I adjusted the linkage as far as it will go safely. (The vertical rod the comes out of the lower unit.) Friend says he jammed motor in reverse so fast it didn't lock down and then slammed down when he went back to forward (I'm sure there is more to the story, but he's not sharing, so I didn't ask). So I have two questions: Is there an easy solution to my lock down problem, and I also need to know the gas/oil ratio for this motor.

Thanks for the help.


Dave Everett

 

[codyel]

Re: Mix Ratio for 1978 1400 Merc

50:1 is your ratio. Also stick with premium oils. Merc/quicksilver, O.M.C., etc.
There spendy, but smoke less and much less prone to plug fouling. good luck.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Mix Ratio for 1978 1400 Merc

Dave, That motor was stored a long time. You might want to inspect the carbs to see if they are gummed up.

 

[Sleddogsassp]

Re: Mix Ratio for 1978 1400 Merc

Thanks for the replies. My friend "ran it dry" before he stored. I hooked the hose up and had no spark, so I took the distributor cap off. It was grim. I tried to find a cap and rotor on the net, but all the parts sources said NLA. So I took the cap off and very carefully rehabbed it with my dremmel tool. Hand sanded the rotor, and with an eraser from a pencil, cleaned up the carbon point contact on the rotor. Back to try to start it again. Primed the carbs with the bulb, about 4 revolutions and off we went. I'll be heading for the lake in a few minutes to see how it really is. Probably start running at reduced throttle for a while to make sure if there is anything stuck in there it gets out with out a lot of extra pressure. This is a great site, I found it by searching for parts. I spend several hours cruising around it last night.

Fish on...

Dave

 

[BF]

Re: Mix Ratio for 1978 1400 Merc

The running dry thing works well for single carb'd engines, but.... with a 6 cyl and multiple carbs, when it was "run dry" there could easily still be fuel/oil mix left in a couple of the carbs when it stalled out. I'd definitely inspect and clean them before you run it. Betchya a dollar that there is varnish. It would suck big time if a clogged or partially clogged main jet caused you to toast the engine on the shake down cruise.

Also, inspect all fuel lines for cracking.. I'd also be suspicious of the fuel pump and would consider putting a rebuild kit (new diaphrams) in it before running it.

Have you changed the impeller yet?? Should definitely be done. It's pretty much guaranteed to have taken a "set" and be very brittle.... Again, it'd be sad to overheat the engine on the shake down cruise.

There's a FAQ about "awakening a sleeping outboard"... lots of good stuff there.

 

[Sleddogsassp]

Re: Mix Ratio for 1978 1400 Merc

BF,

Thanks for the info. I can't find the FAQ you mentioned, is the title you sent a quote?

I didn't get your message with the sound advice before I left. I launched, let the engine idle about 10 minutes watching for water and checking the temp by hand of the discharge. Ran the boat about an hour at 4000 + -. After, I adjusted the motor up one more notch. I wasn't able to reach WOT because the tach was heading for 7000 with no indication of slowing down. I have a 17" prop on and ordered a 23" when I got home. I will start taking the carbs off as soon as I order a rebuild kit for them. My friend put a new impeller in right before he stored the engine, but I have to deal with the reverse lock down cam and if I can find one of those, I'll replace the impeller while I'm in there.

Thanks again for your advice.

Dave