Re: Where should I start
Right - 1973. Great motor, in fact one of the best with gas going up the way it is. Make sure you prop it to let it wind right out though. The early looper triples like yours produce 65/70 hp from only 50 cubic inches; as opposed to the crossflow V4s 85-140hp from 94-100 cubic inches. In other words, they're highly tuned, and don't like to be lugged. Really good motors though. <br /><br />OK, there is a safety switch that keeps the starter from working if the throttle is advanced much at all. It's over on the opposite side of the block from the starter, by the throttle pivot (if I'm remembering where the triple starters are correctly). It works a little counter-intuitively if you're used to a car. The far end of the solenoid is grounded through the safety switch. If the switch allows a ground, the solenoid activates and the starter cranks. If the throttle's open too far, the switch opens and doesn't allow the ground, and the solenoid can't activate. So...just ground the wire from the solenoid to that safety switch, and try the starter. Work OK - good, that's your problem. If not, post back.<br /><br />Prop that motor so it turns a good 6K with just you in the boat. Probably a 13 or 15" pitch prop, wildly guessing at your boat size. Clean the carbs & put a new impeller in it (unless you're sure the impeller is recent) - those are the three weak links. Change the lower unit fluid, putting new gaskets on the two screws. The fluid should not be "milky" (means it has water in it), not have much in the way of metal in it. Some fine metal filings clinging to the magnetic drain screw are normal & OK. <br /><br />That's an unusually good motor - I'd hang onto it.
