Please Help Me!!!!! Powerhead 70;s merc

[Motown]

I recently bought an older 70-73 Starcraft Runabout 14' with a Shorelandr trailer for 400 bucks. Not too bad- The guy threw in a 40 horse merc, I figured it didnt run and I was right. I took it to the local boat shop and they said it was shot. They said the best bet is a new motor (I only gave 400 for the boat dont have millions of dollars) or a used powerhead. I dont know anything about a boat motor. If it was an old V8 I would we fishing already. Anyway what all does a powerhead include is it tho whole top half or what? Also how hard is it to do? I do machine maintainance for a living so it's not like i can't turn a wrench or anything. OR... does anyone have a used motor for sale reasonably cheap. Thanks

 

[alcan]

Re: Please Help Me!!!!! Powerhead 70;s merc

Hi Motowndoesn't <br />At todays shop time rates, there doesn't have to be much wrong with a motor in order to deem it shot. What did the mechanic say the problem was? Maybe you could obtain a manual at the library and see if you can repair this motor yourself. If the damage is still too costly to correct, at least you will have a good understanding of how an outboard works and what to look for in purchessing a fine used motor. Good luck.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Please Help Me!!!!! Powerhead 70;s merc

Do a compression test on tha thang. That'll give you an idea of how "shot" it is. Most mechanics, this time of the year don't want to spend a lot of time on one engine, especially an older one. You may have to pull the carbs and give them a good cleaning or some thing else easy but time consuming.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Please Help Me!!!!! Powerhead 70;s merc

your getting good advice here. i would evaluate the motor real hard...using the judgement you use on the job. if the flywheel turns, run a compression check like hooty says. an older 40 hp merc is probably an inline four...very dependable if maintained. hardest part of compression testing is getting the cyl fitting into the lower plug hole. if it has over 95 lbs dry in all the jugs, check the wiring all around. any sign of corrosion? if it has been run hard in salt water and put away dirty you'll notice corrosion on what's left of the wires and on bolts (whitish residue). if it has compression and decent wiring, I'd pull the dist. and clean the points and hope to get spark back on the plugs...if it has no spark now. you may something you can fix up and run pretty cheap, then again it may be a bucket of parts waiting to be sold on ebay...which is a good place to recover some of your money and find the parts you need or a replacement motor. don't lose hope. approach it logically and take your time and post more info on this board/thread.

 

[Motown]

Re: Please Help Me!!!!! Powerhead 70;s merc

To Alcan, Hooty and tim Mc- Thank you very much for the advice- I wasn't sure about this whole forum thing- never used it before but it seems really cool. Anyhow I was real vague about what I meant by shot. Something is really bound up. Acts like a bearing or something. The flywheel is really free when turned counter clockwise, turn it to the right and at a certain point she just locks right up. Put a 1/2" breaker bar on it and still no dice. How similair to a car engine is a boat engine as far as crank, pistons, bearings and the like. Thanks

 

[John Reynolds]

Re: Please Help Me!!!!! Powerhead 70;s merc

What is the Motor's model and serial number?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Please Help Me!!!!! Powerhead 70;s merc

don't think autos, think old motorcycles...you know the 2-stroke moto-guzzis. now your in the ball park. one that old i'd consider buying a used powerhead on ebay, less you just like rebuilding flawed powerheads. just my 2 cents.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Please Help Me!!!!! Powerhead 70;s merc

man i'm fergetful tonite. check out this site too. www.pfs-ware.com then John's Old Merc page, then the Q&A page there.

 

[alcan]

Re: Please Help Me!!!!! Powerhead 70;s merc

Hi Motown<br /> This doesn't sound too good. Before you throw in towel, lets look things over a bit. Spearate the lower unit from the power head. This will tell if the stopage is in the lower unit or power head. Ether way this motor will be project. If your up for this type of thing great, if not, cut and run.

 

[Motown]

Re: Please Help Me!!!!! Powerhead 70;s merc

Again to everyone, thanks for responding. And to<br />John Reynolds I'm not sure about the model- nothing saying what it might be on the cover, serial # is 3337729. Thanks