how much time and effort

[Patrick A McGuire]

How much time and effort should I put into a '61 merc 400E that isn't supposed to have many hours on it, but has been sitting for almost 40 years? Actually the Boat's a '64, so the motor was used when they got it, so I can't really say how many hours are on it. but there aren't any leaks, and with a few replacement parts and rebuilding others without taking down the whole engine, it SEEMS like it should work.
It's a clean motor and when I pull the starter rope, it feels good. Like it really wants to work.

Similar problem with the '78 merc 1150, but it's been sitting less than ten. receipt for last service was in '01. But I definitely need to replace the wiring harness. It's cracked and corroded.

I'll be tearing down the '61 this week.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: how much time and effort

A compression test and a spark test will let you know in a hurry if the motor(s) is still sound. If both pass, clean the fuel system, rebuild the fuel pump AND the water pump, change gear lube, add fuel, water and stir!

Tear down? Why?

 

[Patrick A McGuire]

Re: how much time and effort

sounds pretty easy. I'm sure I'm up to it. thanks

 

[henrye718]

Re: how much time and effort

I would think many of the plastic and rubber parts are shot. I would check and maybe replace a lot of the critical seals and parts like this that dry rot over time.

 

[Patrick A McGuire]

Re: how much time and effort

Oh. thanks for saying that. that's one thing I didn't even think about. I was just worried about most external cleanable parts. I guess I need to see if there are any rebuild kits for certain things. which may or may not be difficult for the older motor.

should I leave it on the boat or should I make a stand for it to work on?

 

[Patrick A McGuire]

Re: how much time and effort

when I said 'tear down' I just meant that I'll be removing the external parts needed to fix or replace. remove the top cowl, carbs and linkage. things like that.

 

[B4Istart]

Re: how much time and effort

I think I'd put some marvel mistery oil in the spark plug holes and let it sit a day or two. Then clean it out. That will help free up stuck rings.

 

[Patrick A McGuire]

Re: how much time and effort

I think I'd put some marvel mistery oil in the spark plug holes and let it sit a day or two. Then clean it out. That will help free up stuck rings.

Is that even if the motor turns OK? I'm sure it won't hurt either way. Just asking. I did the same thing to the lawn tractor with a ceased piston I found in the trash almost a year ago, and it's still running. But I think that it was only ceased because of sitting so long, not lack of oil. But it's made me a lot of money this last year considering what I put into it.

And how much should I use?

 

[coolguy147]

Re: how much time and effort

i got a mercury 500 1961 basically almost exactly the same as ur motor. working on it too.

check compression tell us numbers
next check spark
gear oil and replace with new gaskets 85-85 weight
replace impeller. now it might be a bit hard to take cover off water pump but ill explain that later
take prop off and check for fishing line then reinstall but before grease splines
take the cover very top about 4 bolts. then unscrew ground on choke salonoid and diconnect manual choke then take off but choke is still connected by wire just leave it on and put it aside.
then take magneto off four bolts and disconect wires from block and such make sure u number spark plug wires. from top bottom. remove dont remove belt!!! or the assembly thats holds it on.
then remove electric start and move rectifier and any wires or such that might be in the way be careful this stuff is like 50 years old

this is too take carbs off.

another thing rebuild fuel pump. replace fuel lines 1/4".

test if electric start turn motor over real good if not well get into that later