Fuel restrictors help!!!

[Mercs and such]

Heres my problem:

on my 1984 inline 4 75hp, It would take starting fluid to get her purring, it never started when temps were below 60 degrees, and when it did finally start, I would have to keep it at around 2000 RPM's or else it would just cut out.

Trust me, It idles like crap!!

now, I had carbs completely rebuilt and mixture is set perfect. Guess what... IT STILL DOESNT START EASY AND STILL CUTS OUT!!!!

now im almost certain i found the problem. IN the fuel transfer ports. So, there are these 1/8" holes in the top 3 cylinders that require a "plastic restrictor" that fit into that hole and reduce the size to 1/16". The part was discontinued by mercury but i managed to scavenge some up from an old merc dealer.

However, I CANT GET THOSE DANG THINGS IN THERE!!. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO DO THIS????! I REALLY NEED SOME HELP ON THIS BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HER RUNNING FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!

IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT, I TRIED USING A SMALL PIN TO SEAT THE RESTRICTOR AND IT FELL RIGHT THROUGH THE HOLE AND INTO IM GUESSING THE BLOCK. THE MECHANIC SAID IT FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CRANKCASE AND WILL FALL THROUGH THE WATER SYSTEM. ITS ONLY ABOUT 1/32" IN DIAMETER AND 1/4" LONG.

EDIT: Please reduce the size of the pix so that they fit the screen. Thanks.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fuel restrictors help!!!

I have had Merc mechanics say those restrictors were useless. I therefore do not think that is your problem. They also fell out of my inline six more than 15 years ago, w/o affecting anything. Hard starting is caused by low compression and/or slow starter speed, weak igniton, lousy choking, or bad carb settings.

You might test some of those before you try to track down those restrictors.

 

[arsenalpsu]

Re: Fuel restrictors help!!!

First off if you push one into the hold and it went through, they're in the piston cylinder, not the water jacket or cooling system. They will get blown out the exhaust eventually, no harm. The restrictors will only help your idle, but she will idle w/o them. The Merc ones are junk and a pain in the @$$, get a WD40 can and cut a few small pieces off the red tub. You have to "peen" them in there with a small nail punch. Don't be afraid to crush them. When you smash them in there with a punch it makes the top of the tube larger so it won't fall into the cylinders. If she won't idle at all you have other issues as stated above. I'm rebuilding my 1984 115hp right now and she had no restrictors and idled great- you have other issues?..

 

[JustJason]

Re: Fuel restrictors help!!!

check your compression first, spark second, and then your base timing.

 

[Mercs and such]

Re: Fuel restrictors help!!!

wow! thanks everyone for the replies! lots of good opinions.

Anyways, I decided to not install them. I spent my christmas eve day trying to put those dang restrictors in! I tried fabricating a device that went through the hole to hold it in place and a slidable driver but it would not go in. They just disintegrated and the place that i bought them from is completely out and its discontinued WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS NOT VERY IMPORTANT SINCE 3 ARE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CRANKCASE AND WILL GO OUT THE EXHAUST.

now, any input on what i need to look for next?

I have the WM-14 carburetors bought brand new. $305.00 for top, $240.00 for bottom.

now i have a pair of spare carbs.


IF anyone can give me some suggestions on what to check for next, that would be great.

- I plan on checking the compression, and starter speed.

thanks, Mercs and Such !!!

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Fuel restrictors help!!!

Don't forget to check your choke (enrichner) for proper ops.