sunk 5hp 1967 Merc- rebuild or OK?

[askiopunk4358796652]

Ok- stupid teenager trick... I sunk the motor (it came off the back of the little boat) when I was in HS doing water "brodies". Yaa, real bright I know. Now I'm paying for it since I want to take my elderly father fishing.<br /><br />The motor sat underwater for about a month I recall. I believe when I pulled it I dumped out all the water and pulled the plugs and maybe tried to start it (no luck). It's been a *real* long time.<br /><br />There is good spark, and seems to be good compression. Everything works very smoothly and there is no binding or noises or anything. All in all you cant tell its been in the drink just by looking. <br /><br />I put in new gear lube and am getting another plug and a fuel tank and primer line.<br /><br />Anything else I should do before I try to fire her up? I've looked through past posts and have seen both views from "you HAVE to rebuild or its junk" to "clean her up and she'll be fine". Which is it?<br /><br />If I don't go with a rebuild will it be a sudden stoppage because of the rusted bearings and such(leaving my father and I stranded in the lake) or go rather gradual giving me time to make the decision later to rebuild? The motor probably won't see more than about 10 hours a year of use.<br /><br />If I do a rebuild what am I looking at for costwise and is it worth it for this old of motor?<br /><br />Thanks so much folks!!!<br /><br />Joa Harrison<br />Coeur d'Alene, ID<br />1967 Merc 5hp 2-stroke outboard (SN 2146833)

 

[NathanY]

Re: sunk 5hp 1967 Merc- rebuild or OK?

If it where me, I would pull the plugs out of the motor and lay in on a towel plugs and fill the cylinders comletely full of 2 stroke oil, and let it sit for a few days, and then drain and put the plugs back in, then turn it carb side up and open the throttle wide open and dump some 2 stroke oil down in it and let it sit for a few days. <br /><br />That way it get everything nice and oily internally so that you are not dry starting it. That is one of the worst things you can do to an outboard that has been sitting for a long time<br /><br />I would also rebuild the carbs and fuel pump.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: sunk 5hp 1967 Merc- rebuild or OK?

If you dried it out when it first came back to the surface, oiled it up good, and then let it sit, you MIGHT be okay. Ideally, you want to get the motor running as quickly as possible after a dunking. I've gotten motors running after months on the bottom (fresh water) and they haven't had major issues. Key is getting them running quickly. Let them run for awhile to build up heat and dry out.<br /><br />For your motor, the only way you'll find out is to run it. Try starting it in a barrel and listen to it. If it sounds like a coffee can full of BBs, it'll probably do an impersonation of a grenade when you're 5 miles out. If it sounds good and smooth with no obvious internal "raspiness", you might be good to go...<br /><br />If it does exhibit signs that there might be bearing damage, shut it down. New bearings are readily available, and a simple replacement might be all you need. Let it run too long with a bad bearing and you'll need more than a new bearing...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[askiopunk4358796652]

Re: sunk 5hp 1967 Merc- rebuild or OK?

Thanks for all the advice. I’ll go ahead and fire her up (after oiling liberally) and see how it goes. Two strokes are pretty tough beasts but as soon as that bearing goes I don’t expect a whole lotta time running. Risk I take I guess :0<br /><br />Who has the best prices on the rebuild kits for the carb and water pump and also the bearings? How about manual?<br /><br />Thanks folks!<br /><br />Joa