Re: '71 Starcraft Jupiter V w/ '85 Mercury 2-stroke bored to 118hp specs
I had no idea that a knob could go for so much! I'll definitely appreciate what is on here.
It's been a while, but I've actually made some progress. Since the winter was over, and the lake was getting warm, I knew I had to get something done. I had a couple days free a few weeks ago and got the mercontroller back together with a new gear cam from a boat shop/marina called Alexander's Landing. They're very helpful and even gave me some exploded views. Since I had done work on the engine at the end of the last summer and had it running for a minute or two, I had a feeling it was possible to start it.
I took the boat down to the dock, which is only a few hundred yards from where I work on it, put it in the water and turned the key. It took some coaxing but it came to life as if it had been running all day. No smoke, no surging, no dying. I couldn't believe it. I cycled through the gears since I had rebbuilt some of the lower unit and had pulled the controller apart. Everything worked perfectly. I didn't lock the outboard in so reverse pulled the prop out of the water, but no damage to anything occured. The only step that made sense to take next was a lap out to see how high speed would work. That's where the intensifying joy planed off. Unfortunately, the boat would not. I'm suspecting that the dual carbs, or one of them, may have a bowl or needle stuck. I don't think I got to 2000 rpm. I'm going to have to go into tuning mode.
The next step: rebuild the carbs after I pick up a kit from A's L, replace some rotting fuel and water jet lines, and take the boat up to Amish Country for a week to get a new cover.
Slow progress, but progress nonetheless.
