Crank seal on 73 Mercury model 500 50hp

[Myfirstboat86]

Just bought this boat for $275 dollars with trailer and motor. It's got a 1973 Mercury 50hp model 500 outboard that runs on fullchoke but cuts out when taken off choke. Took it to a guy to repair, says it's got a bad crank seal. $500 to repair. is it worth fixing? Anything I should have him go through while he's in the process to save problems in the near future of I'm going to invest in this outboard. Help please Mercury guys?

 

[Texasmark]

How about a compression check and pull your carbs and inspect them. Also look at ALL your fuel lines for cracks or collapsed condition, or general deterioration. Last would be to include the fuel pump in the inquiry. If all that checks out, one would have to assume that the seal is causing the compression chamber to suck air from that source rather than via the carb venturi. If you have a crank seal leaking, you ought to see oil around it....got to pop the flywheel and lower unit to inspect both ends of the crank.