1973 Mercury 650 fuel issues.

TheKodiakWay

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Mercury 650 3cyl, serial number 3549871

The motor starts and idles just fine, on the muffs and in Neutral it's perfect. My problem comes when I give some throttle while in gear. If I slowly apply throttle it picks up to a high idle and starts to just bog down, eventually dying if I keep applying throttle. If I slam it from idle to full throttle, it just dies. I found if I play with the choke flaps a bit the motor smooths out and runs fine, if I'm less than cruising (say 3/4) throttle as soon as I open the choke back up it bogs and dies. Now if I'm at or above 3/4 throttle and play with the choke until it runs well, it will continue to run just fine until I shut down. I've gotten to the point I can run the choke from the electric push button, and let off at the right time (just before dying) it spits and sputters a bit, then takes off.

The motor has an unknown history until I got it a few years ago. The old prop had a spun hub, water pump was shot, no vanes left at all. I've replaced those as well as a new fuel tank, and had the carbs professionally cleaned and rebuilt last year. I pulled the fuel pump today and it had a brown oil in the bottom mounting hole. Everything on the inside looked fine however. I pulled the fuel filter which looked clean, but had a couple pieces of stuff in it and was split in a few places.

Now to my questions.
1. What can be causing this bogging dying issue?
2. What kind of rebuild kit should I get for the fuel pump? Diaphram, check valve, both?
3. Is it worth replacing the stock fuel filter, or should I go with something different like an inline?
 

oldman570

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Re: 1973 Mercury 650 fuel issues.

When work is done on the carbs, it is best to go thru the steps of a link an sync to make sure all the adjustments are set for best performance. You probably need to open the idle jets up a 1/8 to 1/4 turn more, as it sounds like they are set to lean. this is why the motor wants to stall when the RPM's get to around 1800 to 2000 RPM. Open the idle jets a screwdriver width at a time till the motor will not stall out when going up on plain. JMO
Oldman570
 
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TheKodiakWay

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Re: 1973 Mercury 650 fuel issues.

Thank you oldman, I'll give it a try after the fuel pump rebuild!
 

TheKodiakWay

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Re: 1973 Mercury 650 fuel issues.

Well, after an online search, and checking around town... the fuel filter is no longer available. What do I need to add a seperate filter? I'm thinking an inline between the fuel connection and the pump? What do I need to do to the OG filter housing?
 
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oldman570

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Re: 1973 Mercury 650 fuel issues.

You can get barbed fittings that fit the fuel pump and carb of the motor and a replaceable clear fuel filter along with hose clamps and hose at the local auto supply dealer and replace everything from the fuel pump to the carb as needed. If there's not enough room for the new filter to be placed inside the motor, then place it in the hose from the tank to the motor. Fuel filters for some lawn mowers are smaller and will work if need be. A 20 or 10 micron filter will do the job best for filtering the fuel. When doing the job just remove everything between the pump and carb fitting.JMO
Oldman570
 
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TheKodiakWay

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Re: 1973 Mercury 650 fuel issues.

Thanks Oldman, I think I'll take the current filter set up completely out, and try to fit an inline in the same spot. Hopefully it'll fit, if not there's plenty of room before the pump. Should I go with a T fitting, or try to find a Y?
 

oldman570

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Re: 1973 Mercury 650 fuel issues.

A fitting that fits the space best is what I would use. The fuel pump will/should put out more fuel than what the motor needs to have. The hose used should be of the same size or larger than the ID of the old hose being replaced. The use of new fuel hose made for todays ethanol mixed fuel should last for quite some time also. JMO
Oldman570
 
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