1970 Mercury 800 outboard

[poods2]

Hello
I just got a 1970 800 model merc ob. Should the "tell tail" stream be spitting while flushing the engine? I haven't registered the boat yet so I can't put it in the water without running afowl of the harbormaster. I have let it run for 5-10 min on the muffs and it never starts to **** out. I don't want to run it any longer in case it overheats. Other than this the old girl runs pretty good even the electric choke works.
Also should the vent screw on the gas can cap be loosened while the engine is running and should the shift lever pull out to rev the engine in neutral or is this supposed to be done with fast idle lever.
I realize these are very basic questions but I want to make sure I am operating the engine properly.
Thanks

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1970 Mercury 800 outboard

If the engine is running it should have water coming from the telltale but if water comes out the telltale when the engine is not running then the impeller is bad
The vent needs to be open and the engine should shift properly with the cold stsrt lever down

 

[poods2]

Re: 1970 Mercury 800 outboard

Thanks for the info. I snaked a weedwacker filament through the tell tale and it was blocked. Its pissing out fine now. The engine had been stowed for two years and used primarily in salt water. I think I'll replace the impellar as a precaution