!969 Merc red band wont fire

[sjc1]

My brother in - law has one of these old engines, we noticed the last mechanic put surface gap plugs in it, is the cdi strong enough to fire these or could this be the reason it won't start?

 

[emckelvy]

Re: !969 Merc red band wont fire

CDI ign Mercs of this vintage originally were equipped with surface gap plugs. What is the HP and ser # of your motor?

 

[sjc1]

Re: !969 Merc red band wont fire

I don't know the serial # but it is a 80hp

 

[emckelvy]

Re: !969 Merc red band wont fire

Here you go:<br /><br />MERCURY BATTERY-POWERED CDI TEST <br />FOR DISTRIBUTOR MODELS, Courtesy of Clams Canino<br /><br />This test is for the 332-2986 switchbox used from 1967-1978 on all the inlines.<br /><br />This test assumes your coil is good (most all are).<br /><br />DISCONNCT BATTERY <br /><br />1. Turn off ignion<br />2. Disconnect all 3 wires on the distributor side of the switchbox.<br />3. Remove the HV lead from the coil to the center cap (remember it unscrews<br />from cap)<br />4. Reconnect that HV center lead to the COIL side only.<br />5. Position that HV lead about about 3/8" from ground (block, shrouds etc)<br />and find a way to hold it there.<br />6. Jumper the brown and white terminals on the dist. side of the switchbox<br />together.<br /><br />RECONNECT BATTERRY<br /><br />7. Check that you have +12 V at red terminal.<br />8. Turn on ignition and verify +12V at white terminal (on red terminal side)<br />9. Touch the black terminal to ground - unit should cause spark each time<br />you touch ground.<br /><br />If that passes and it won't fire at all, suspect the trigger.

 

[sjc1]

Re: !969 Merc red band wont fire

OK , we dropped some new plgs in her now she will start up , but now it has no top end power...any thoughts , I suspect not all cylinders are firing..I read somewhere could be a trigger? what exactly is this.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: !969 Merc red band wont fire

i suggest going up to the FAQ section and read<br />the post by JB; "my engine won't start". it will<br />give you the correct troubleshooting order.<br />a manual is also a good idea. if you don't have<br />the $35, check the local library.<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.