Recent content by mlbinseattle

  1. M

    Tachometer recommendation

    1976 Mercury 850 The boat came without a tach, and one was never installed. No cutout in the dash, either. Top RPM range for this engine is less than 4800-5500 RPM (fairly sure this is correct). Looking for a recommendation on a reasonably priced tach that works with this engine. All input...
  2. M

    SUCCESS!!! (But I do have a couple of questions ...)

    First time boat owner, here. It's a '76 850. I bought the boat a few months back and have been working on it ever since. I didn't know jack squat about 2 cycles, so I had to learn along the way. I had to fight just to get it started, and it ran pretty sad. It wouldn't get over 5mph without...
  3. M

    '76 850 Trigger / Stator Issues - I need some input

    Here's the idle timing spec straight out of the service manual. It says, "See Note 2". Here is Note 2 (attached pic). My S/N is 4371747. So, yes, I've double checked the timing specs to ensure that I set everything correctly. I pulled the plug wires, this morning, and I took a flat file and...
  4. M

    '76 850 Trigger / Stator Issues - I need some input

    History: Checked compression (110, 105, 105, 110 psi). Installed new plugs. Rebuilt the carbs and triple checked everything. Replaced the cylinder cover gasket because of leaks, replaced the transfer port cover plates' gaskets (gaskets so old, bolts became loose, and it was losing gas mixture)...
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    '76 850 Gasket/seal replacements

    I'm starting a new thread about this. There's another thread, but it's quite long and I'm now looking for input regarding various areas. I've attached a couple of pics. One is the lower unit base (exhaust extension) and the other is the lower block area (lower crank seal, water input and...
  6. M

    Questions about replacing gaskets and seals

    Hopefully, someone who has rebuilt and engine or has done what I've described can answer these questions. Acquired a '76 Mercury 850 that needed some attention. I've already installed new plugs, rebuilt the carbs, and replaced the checkvalves/diaphragm. It has good spark, and I've got it to...
  7. M

    Sanity check before possible rebuild

    Okay, so I purchased an old 15' with a '76 Mercury 850. I figured it would need some attention. I could get it to start (took a while), but it ran bad. It would idle, but dump on me as soon as I put it in gear. After the initial crank, it would take a while to get it started, again. To begin...
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