Is It Worth it

[TexasJackofAllTrades]

I have a 1965 mercury 6hp (Merc60). Was in my friends garage for many years and after the flood in Houston was partially underwater for a bit. I have been able to get it to spin and can freely use a drill to spin it over, cleaned the carb, cleaned the ignition system, woodriff key is in position... have a nice spark!..... the compression is 35. It won't start and acts as if there is no spark or no fuel.... but it has both! even with squirting start fluid directly into the plug holes it acts as if there is no spark (just a little at first then graduating to quite a bit).... cannot even get it to pop once (except after reversing the plug wires for fun). I read some where the compression should be 42+/-14 because of some kind of decompression thing to make it easier to pull start. Not sure about that piece of information. Is the compression so low that it has no chance? I'm hoping the rings just need to get freed up a bit... what do you think about pulling the head and just soaking the hole thing in a bucket of cleaner?? I have looked up the replacement parts for this antique and don't consider it to be worth rebuilding... thinking about just retrofit a Briggs Briggs

 

[Sea Rider]

That I know 2 strokes motors doesn't have a decompression valve or whatever it's called. Check the spark with a spark tester, if at a dark place much better. The spark should be blue color, if other color the ignition coil is probably shot..

Happy Boating​

 

[ShoestringMariner]

35 PSI is your problem I’d say. And I’d also say not worth doing anything with it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

to "retrofit a briggs and stratton" would cost you as much as it would for parts to do it right

if the rings are rusted from sitting under water, that is one issue

if the rings are stuck from sitting, that is another issue

 

[lprizman]

No
Since your the jack of all trades

 

[racerone]

There is no cylinder head on this motor !----Remove intake bypass cover and have a look at pistons and rings.----Cover usually is 1-1/4" wide X 4" with 3 screws.