1974 Mercury 1150 issues

[Needtwofish]

I need help, I have a 1974 Mercury 1150 that was given to me and had set for 2 years. The boat is great but I need help with the motor. At first it would just crank and crank and crank and not nothing. Upon investigation I noticed that the wires coming from the stator had corroded off. So I purchased a new stator, rectifier, and spark plugs and installed them. Cleaned the carbs as best I could, put fresh fuel with the proper mix in. Checked all other wiring and tried to start. It will try to fire but it just will not start. I called the local boat shop they recommended to try a little either. Still the same thing happens. It will try and start but nothing. So I called the boat shop back and they recommended to put some sea foam in the fuel and just keep trying. They said it should eventually start. This does not sound right to me does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do next?

 

[merc850]

If it really is a 1974 the stator only charges the battery, to start - pump fuel ball until it's hard; lift little lever on the right side to past vertical; push and hold choke( take cowling off and make sure the choke is working) button while turning key; as another check tip motor onto tilt stops and pump the ball until gas runs out of carbs, then lower it and try to start. Do not use starter for more than 20 sec without cooling down for a minute or you'll be buying a new starter.
How's the wiring to the other components it should be intact.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

Some advice - Stop calling that shop because they don't know a tea cup from a hole on the ground. Seafoam will not help any to magically start up.

Old Merc wiring harnesses did fall apart as they aged. Fix any of the bad wiring before going too far or you will chasing your tail.

Check the compression and check for spark. And since you went into the carbs, set the idle needle screws to 1 1/2 turns out from lightly seated.

When trying to start, follow merc850's method.

Carl III here, since Carl Jr.was taken. :smile:

 

[Needtwofish]

I have rechecked the wiring and tried to start as recommended, compression is good, tries to start but still will not. What's next

 

[merc850]

Take the cover off the ignition pulley(5/16 bolt) and see if it lines up like this if not follow the steps; one problem could be the trigger - there are instructions for testing it on this site; download.

 

[Needtwofish]

I followed the instructions in the pic you sent and everything is lined up, I will check the trigger

 

[Needtwofish]

I checked the trigger that seems to be the issue, also Amy finding that some of the parts are hard to find to fix. Thinking of purchasing a donor motor for parts unless you know a cheaper alternative