Forward/Reverse backward

[Jacket4life]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

Chris-

Thanks again for all your help, you've been a lifesaver!

Yeah, I read the fuel chapter in my Clymer, and their description of my problem sounds a lot like fuel pump. Luckily, the process seems pretty straight forward. Any recommendations on where to buy the kit for it? I'm willing to try this, it can't be all that cost prohibitive, and if I don't screw it up, it can't hurt anything, only help. I don't understand, though, how it can idle well when warm, and run wide open, but struggle in mid ranges due to fuel pump, but it describes that as one of the symptoms...oh, well, I'm willing to try!

One question: I know the choke is electric, and I can hear it engaging, if the motor starts on choke, does it disengage immediately, or is it temp sensitive? The second time I started it cold, I DIDN'T choke it, because I was afraid I was flooding it the day before. Could I have been wrong?

I know from what a lot of you Merc guys have said, it is kind of a matter of practicing with YOUR motor and seeing what combination it likes to get started. But I will say this, when that sucker started hitting right, man I had a HUGE smile on my face! There is nothing quite like an outboard motor wound up and goin'!

One more question: Where should the cavitation plate on the motor line up with the bottom edge of the boat? I've seen different opinions about that on here. It really doesn't matter for me I don't think, I don't have a jack plate, so I can't adjust that, right? Mine is dead even with the bottom of my boat. Does this only affect top end speed and performance? Thanks again, man!

 

[biker4jc]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

Had the same problem. Open up the controler, move the shift cable from one side to the other, put it back together. No need to touch the motor. ...... or that was the case for me.

 

[achris]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

...One question: I know the choke is electric, and I can hear it engaging, if the motor starts on choke, does it disengage immediately, or is it temp sensitive? The second time I started it cold, I DIDN'T choke it, because I was afraid I was flooding it the day before. Could I have been wrong?

It sounds like you don't have the right choke technique, and this may be all of your problem... Yes, the choke is electric. But it is only ON or OFF, and only when you have your finger on the button. It's NOT a case of press the button and the choke stays on for a length of time. While you press the button, the choke is ON. The second you lift your finger off the button the choke goes off. Take the cover off the engine and, without starting the engine, press the choke button and watch the choke butterflies (key turned to ON). When you remove your finger you'll see them open immediately... NOW you will understand how the choke works....

One more question: Where should the cavitation plate on the motor line up with the bottom edge of the boat? I've seen different opinions about that on here. It really doesn't matter for me I don't think, I don't have a jack plate, so I can't adjust that, right? Mine is dead even with the bottom of my boat. Does this only affect top end speed and performance? Thanks again, man!

The cav plate should be level with the bottom of the boat. That's the normal place. If you have a very light and high performance boat you can lift the engine up about 1" to get an extra 1mph. Only valid for those that really need that extra 1 mph... I doubt that you need that..

Chris.....

 

[64osby]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

When I first got my Merc 500 I was changing my impeller and my "inquiring mind" got the best of me, I rotated the shift controller. Didn't think anything about it until we went to the lake the next weekend and I had to drive the boat backwards.

Took 3 trys in the driveway to get it right, no manual. I remember we were going on vacation and the last try was done very late the night before we left, never tested it. Drove it 5 hours up north. Dropped her in the lake and she worked great. It did teach me to not touch anything that works.

Happy selling and good luck with the next one

 

[Jacket4life]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

Thanks osby.

Looks like I will be keeping this one this summer, then try to buy a project this fall. I'm getting kind of cocky now, so I'm gonna try my hand at it. Then I'll sell this one in the spring for as much as I can while the market is "up".

Want a fiberglass fish and ski. Like Bayliner, Larson, Stratos, etc. Will be fun shopping this fall!

 

[achris]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

.... Bilgeliner, ....

 

[Jacket4life]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

I knew you'd be excited Chris! Look at it this way, if I buy one you can stay busy for the next several years making fun of me while I'm pouring money into it!!!

 

[achris]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

I knew you'd be excited Chris! Look at it this way, if I buy one you can stay busy for the next several years making fun of me while I'm pouring money into it!!!

And fibreglass....

(I'm going to get someone who knows those 'boats' intimately to send you a PM)

 

[Jacket4life]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

Seriously, I'm thinking project, so it's gonna get bottom up restore anyway...want to buy one cheap, and they are all over my area. Whay others would you reccomend in fiberglass fish 'n' ski cheap?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

Seriously, I'm thinking project, so it's gonna get bottom up restore anyway...want to buy one cheap, and they are all over my area. Whay others would you reccomend in fiberglass fish 'n' ski cheap?

Ayuh,... I'll just Skip the pm,...

If you wanta do a project boat,... Especially seeing as it appears you'll be sellin' it after a while,...
Don't do a Bilgeliner,...
Larson,.. Maybe,... Stratos,... Maybe...
If you wanta get into Restoring,... Find Classics,... They'll bring you a solid return...
Chris's barge is a classic, Classic...
The brothers I work for collect Hi-Liner 222s...
A year or so ago, I ran down to NYC,+ picked up a Hi-liner 222 cuddy,...
It's a carbon copy of Chris's hull..

I'm doin' an Old Town Atlantis, exactly like the 1 StarsnStripers is doing...

Bilgeliners are made with the least amount of marginal materials, to create the illusion of a Quality Boat....
Don't fall for it,...
Find a Real Boat,+ enjoy it... Even if it needs rebuildin'...

Bilgeliners are a waste of Effort, muchless the money...

 

[Jacket4life]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

O.K. O.K O.K. I got it

So, a bayliner and a tahoe are about the same quality wise??

I really appreciate the input!

I am NOT looking to turn one around, though. I want to buy one as a project to KEEP for 15-20 years. My parents own a lake place with a double stall dock. They have a 24' Party barge, I want something, well, to fish and ski! The bass boat is great for two guys knocking around fishing, but too small for intensive tubing/skiing/exploring. I have looked at all these types boats. What about the fiberglass Starcrafts??

What I REALLY want is 16'-18' boat with an 85-125 horse Merc on it. Want to spend less than $2500. Have SERIOUSLY considered the old tin Starcrafts. I like the way they look when restored. Haven't seen ANY around here, though. Will be shopping starting this fall. I would be GLAD to drive to get one if it was the right one out of my area (If you guys see one, hint, hint!)

 

[achris]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

O.K. O.K O.K. I got it

So, a bayliner and a tahoe are about the same quality wise??

I really appreciate the input!

I am NOT looking to turn one around, though. I want to buy one as a project to KEEP for 15-20 years.

An even better reason to steer well clear of a bilgeliner!

I've had my boat since 1986, and it was built in '72. This is the 3rd engine it's seen, and I seriously doubt it will be the last. I can't even see myself selling it before I'm worm food.

My parents own a lake place with a double stall dock. They have a 24' Party barge, I want something, well, to fish and ski! The bass boat is great for two guys knocking around fishing, but too small for intensive tubing/skiing/exploring. I have looked at all these types boats. What about the fiberglass Starcrafts??

What I REALLY want is 16'-18' boat with an 85-125 horse Merc on it. Want to spend less than $2500. Have SERIOUSLY considered the old tin Starcrafts.

My personal thoughts on tin are not good. Light, yes, easier to repair than 'glass, maybe. But where they lose out is in ride quality, temperature stability, noise and overall appearance. Just one more nail for me is that my neighbour has a tin boat similar in age, size and style to my boat. He's been on my boat about half a dozen times and he's desperate to sell his and get a 'glass boat. It's been on the market for over 4 years! Nobody likes them here. I've often asked him to bring his family out and spend a night on board, but the says nobody can sleep on his boat, it's too noise in the water. That's one of the things I love, sleeping on board and hearing the water gently lapping the hull. On a tin boat, it's like trying to sleep inside a drum!

I like the way they look when restored. Haven't seen ANY around here, though.

Ask yourself why..

Will be shopping starting this fall. I would be GLAD to drive to get one if it was the right one out of my area (If you guys see one, hint, hint!)

 

[Jacket4life]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

Chris-
Thanks for the input, always nice to hear other points of view. I will probably go glass, b/c that is what I am most familiar with.

Your boat looks like it's a tad larger than what I am looking for, but undoubtably very nice!

Anyone that has comments or suggestions is welcome. At this point, my plan is to start a thread in the fall and share some I am looking at while I shop. Have seen several ppl on here doing that and getting good input.

I LOVE iboats!!!

 

[Jacket4life]

Re: Forward/Reverse backward

**********Another Update***********

O.K. Been stopped down by work until yesterday. Decided to do my Decarb. As far as I can tell, it worked great. The only problem is I think I have figured out part of my "cold-starting" problem.

When I first start up my motor, fuel is RUNNING out of my top carb. Continues for a good 3-4 minutes, then slows to a trickle, then completely stops. So I'm guessing it's time to get educated about doing a carb job. I think I am ready to try it, but I'm gonna get my manual and the carb and fuel pump kits first.

The frustrating part is: when this thing is finally warm, it runs like a MOTHER! I mean it is smooth as silk, responsive, and buzzes like an angry hormet once it is good and "warm".

Oh, well. I need the experience anyway. Think I'm going to do the Chem-Tool dip for the metal, and replace all the plastic parts I can.

Thanks again for ALL the info I've gotten from this site, I love this place, I am pretty much officially an addict!