Float spec, 1982 50HP Merc

[rernst]

I just bought a boat with this engine on it. Fellow I bought from "rebuilt" the dual carbs (4 cyl), and it runs well, UNLESS, I hit some chop. Motor slows down drastically, but keeps me just on a plane, Then, if not choppy, picks up and runs great again.<br /><br />I tried pumping gas via the fuel line, but running got worse, so I'm suspecting it's flooding when hitting chop. Which leads me to think the float/needle is set too high. I've not had the carbs apart and don't have a manual yet, but would like to know the float specs and how/where to measure from and to, to check, and re-set them.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Float spec, 1982 50HP Merc

I have an 85 50hp merc. I believe the float level is a simple 1/4" from the top of the bowl. My carbs also have a "baffle" that mounts opposite the float hinge. This is a simple flat piece of metal that is supposed to keep fuel from sloshing around in the bowl. It sounds like the previous owner did something wrong on the rebuild. Pick up a manual and you should be able to work it out pretty easily. You'll recover the cost of the manual many times over.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Float spec, 1982 50HP Merc

After changing inlets in my son 44xs racing engine, which is the same engine and carbs as your 50hp, we had trouble with the engine running rich in rough water, we didn't want to change float levels from the 1/4" for fear of it running to lean on smooth water and self destructing. When reveiwing my 94 technicians handbook I see they have changed the float level to 5/16" so we tried that and it ran like a bear again so i have been setting them all at 5/16 with no trouble--Bob

 

[verado7]

Re: Float spec, 1982 50HP Merc

i realize this is an old post -but- some other guy like migth come along and read it ....laddies is right -5/16 seems to be the sweet spot and in a pinch ( say you broke down somewhere ) you can -with the carb upside down - set the (now top of float) perpendicular to the carb gasket surface and you will still be better than the original spec.