Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

[GA Paramedic]

Ok.. '76 115 merc. Bought used for $1.00. No history known. Ground wires found fried but replaced with starter. Carbs clean x's 3. Fuel pump checked and confirmed good. Idles well without any skipping. Put it in the water and it wouldn't even plane out. WHERE'S THE BEEF.. I MEAN HORSEPOWER?

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

What is your RPM at WOT?

 

[GA Paramedic]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

hard to say. No RPM gauge. Just a fuel and speedometer that both don't work. Jusy by ear, it isn't wide open. Not even close.

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

Did you check the compression?

 

[GA Paramedic]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

checked the compression on cylinders 1-5 and ranged from 115 - 120 on each. #6 is almost impossible to get to.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

It could well be overpropped. Too much prop pitch to hit the powerband. Common problem with moved motors.<br /><br />-W

 

[GA Paramedic]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

The prop is a stainless steel Quicksilver prop that I believe to be the one<br />that was operated on it for a while. The numbers on it are 48 727162 A5 19P. <br />If this dosn't throw any red flags to you, then I guess I'll go get a timing<br />light.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

19P is OK for a smaller / lighter boat. <br />15p-17p is common on heaver boats.<br /><br />-W

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

Make sure you have spark on all cylinders.

 

[GA Paramedic]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

Spark is good in all cylinders. While working on timing, the timing belt broke. till I can get a belt...

 

[2cycle]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

Make sure the idle speed screws in each carburetor are at least 2 turns out CCW from a lightly seated position. The carbs have to run rich enough to plane the boat and accelerate smoothly. Did you adjust or take them out when you cleaned the carburetors? 2 1/4 turns is usually about right. <br /><br />RE: timing belt, email Clams Canino and he could probably tell you where to find one if it's NLA or an arm and a leg from Mercury.

 

[GA Paramedic]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

The idle screws were pulled out, cleaned and reseated. 2 1/4 was where they were and was where thy were returned. Does anyone have any diagrams on how to put the timing belt back on? There is an arrow on the pully on top of the distributor but I don't know where it is supposed to point. Also having a little hard time pulling the fly wheel off... I was able to get the old belt off without pulling it but probably not putting it back on.

 

[saumon]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

No idea but, BTW, really like your signature (i'm french speaking)<br /><br />for those who can't understand french, the translation is: "i love them fast and wet" ..probably refering to some kind of hull

 

[2cycle]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

Boat Medic,<br /><br />Try this for belt alignment:<br /><br /> http://forums.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=29;t=020822#000000 <br /><br />The arrow on the bottom half of the pulley should line up with the nib on the block at around 2-4 degrees BTDC if the belt is installed correctly.

 

[GA Paramedic]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

I removed the fly wheel (top part) and got down to the smaller pully. I tried to use a crowe foot puller and remove the rest, without success. I was able to get the old belt off with some gentle persuasion. Do I need to pull that part of the flywheel off as well or can I do a adequate job pressing it back in that small crack and hope for the best? I can provide a picture of where I am at if I need to.

 

[2cycle]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

I'm not exactly sure - I think you may need a flywheel puller to pull it and make room for the belt if it's not doable with a lot of patience and coaxing. Hopefully Clams will weigh in because he can tell you for sure. I think you will probablyneed the flywheel puller tool.

 

[GA Paramedic]

Re: Missing Horsepower? No giddy-up!

just wanted to drop you guys a line to say thanks for all of your help. I had no idea that so many people would be so eager to help me with such expert advice. I have been told that I know just enough about boat motors to get myself in trouble. Thank goodness I know more about paramedicine that boats. Hope you guys had a great weekend and I'll let you know what I can get into when I get my new timing belt and maybe a flywheel puller, if I can find one. Till next time...