How do I remove the carbs on my Tower of Power/

[tonkit]

OK, so there are eons of topics on rebuilding the carbs on my 1982 115 I6 Merc Tower of Power. But I can't for the life of me find anything on how to get the stupid things off the engine. My search of the internet always comes up with pages where the carbs are already off the motor. My SELOC manual says " Remove the carburetor linkage and choke linkage (which mine does not have) and then go into how to remove the fuel lines and the flange nuts. My problem is the plastic connectors between the carbs. I have pulled the bottom bolt but am unable to get the plastic out. The coupling as it is called will move up and down but won't come out. I haven't tried "convincing" it very hard....I don't want to break the darn thing.

​Help! I'm sure it's simple but my manual isn't great (it also shows the filter screen on top of the carbs which mind don't have either).

Thanks Guys

 

[Texasmark]

Chris 1956 or Steelspike can jump right on this for you.

 

[tonkit]

I'll probably feel stupid. I'm sure it's something simple that I'm missing but with everything on the motor being black on black it is difficult for my aging eyes to see in there. And the top carb is different, it is connected to the linkage arm.

 

[tonkit]

Must have been a tougher question than I originally thought. Does it matter which order the carbs are removed and re-installed in? Perhaps that is the secret? Do I need to remove the bottom carb then the middle and then the top or vice versa? Does any of this matter?

 

[Chris1956]

Remove the six small bolts (5/16" socket) holding the three carb covers, and then the carb covers as an assembly. The float levers should stay put, but make sure. Remove the three floats.

Now unbolt the carbs(six nuts). Usually a thin wall 3/8" socket wrench (1/2" socket, plus extension, if I remember), will do the job. The plastic carb linkage will pull off the carb above. They are fragile and hard to get so be careful.

You will need to see how the throttle linkage comes off the top carb, as I an not sure for your model year.

 

[jimmbo]

deleted

 

[racerone]

Remove the 3 carburetors together as an assembly.------That way you do not damage the links between them.------------Sorry, but this work is not really that hard to do and nothing is " stupid " on these fine motors.---------Look this over / plan before working on this project !

 

[merc850]

Undo the nuts that hold the choke plates onto the carbs then you can pull them off the carbs and unbolt the carb assembly.

 

[tonkit]

Thanks guys, here is some info that may or may not make a difference;

​1. My carbs do not have the screen in the top (thus no screen covers) The lines connect to a fitting on the float bowl covers. So...if I remove these covers from the carbs and then remove the carbs as an assembly I assume that the float and needle will have to come out with that cover? At least that's the way that it appears in the parts diagram.
2. I don't have chokes on my carbs either ( enricher circuit instead ) so I guess that makes things a little easier.

Chris1956 would I be better off removing the fuel line from the fitting on the carbs and then removing them in tact? Or how about taking the fuel lines off with the carbs as well? Do you see any problems with either of these ideas?

racerone; ​planning ahead is exactly what I am doing here. I have built and rebuilt many, many cycles, cars, snowmobiles etc. That is how I learned to "Ask before I Break" something. No need to pay any more STUPID tax. LOL

One other thing. The manual says to use "Gasketcinch" on the plugs and the screws (or the equivalent). I have several gasket sealers and form-a-gasket tubes...blue, black, orange, etc. Should I use one of these or do I need to buy something else?

Thanks for the help so far guys, I appreciate it.

 

[Chris1956]

Tonkit, I would remove the three carb covers as an assembly, so I did not need to cut the plastic ties, and replace them with hose clamps. The inlet needle remains in the carb cover.

The plugs in the carb bodies are tapered threads. After you clean the carbs, replace the plugs and smear a bit of silicone or similar over the plugs to assure a seal. It is probably not necessary, but it won't hurt.

 

[merc850]

Could you post some pictures so I can get an idea of what an 1982 powerhead looks like. Make sure they're under 200k size.

 

[tonkit]

Tonkit, I would remove the three carb covers as an assembly, so I did not need to cut the plastic ties, and replace them with hose clamps. The inlet needle remains in the carb cover.

The plugs in the carb bodies are tapered threads. After you clean the carbs, replace the plugs and smear a bit of silicone or similar over the plugs to assure a seal. It is probably not necessary, but it won't hurt.

Thanks Chris, but my "carb covers" contain the needle and seat (there are no screens on the top of my carbs) so they had to come off the fuel lines anyway (I also replaced all the carb lines with new).

I got the carbs rebuilt with some issues. One of the kits had a different needle and seat that was fine thread (mine is course) but the old ones looked perfect so I reused them (keeping fingers crossed).. And getting the couplers between the carbs to match up so they all open at the same time was a real treat as well. But I'm hoping for the best.