Wondering if I can add power trim to my 82 mercury

Bribass

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Jan 6, 2026
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Hello everyone
I have a bass tracker with a 82 mercury 40hp 2 stroke. It have the manual trim and I was wondering if they made power trim for this engine. I know of the CMC tilt and trims but I was trying to figure out if there was a regular trim that I could put on it? I also was wondering what I could do to make it start easier? It is a great running motor but I can be a pain to start most of the time. Also it leaks water around the top spark plug, it’s just a little bit and doesn’t seem to be a big issue but why is it doing that? And is there anything else I should know/ do to it?
 

redneck joe

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Mar 18, 2009
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Welcome to the forum.

Where is the water actually leaking from.

I beleive you can add tbt, I have an 82 50 I'll check manual to see if it covers a 40. If so, you are looking at about a grand on ebay. I'd just pin it where it works best most of the time.

Starting, pull the plugs and see what they look like. Do you pump ball before starting?
 

Bribass

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Thanks
I was thinking I could find a used trim and get a rebuild kit. I do pump the ball when starting, it’s kind of finicky it likes throttle. And the water I believe is leaking from the top spark plug. I read and saw that maybe could be a head gasket?
 

Bribass

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Thanks
I was thinking I could find a used trim and get a rebuild kit. I do pump the ball when starting, it’s kind of finicky it likes throttle. And the water I believe is leaking from the top spark plug. I read and saw that maybe could be a head gasket?
Also thanks
 

racerone

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Replace the water jacket gasket.----There is no cylinder head on that motor.-----What is your starting procedure?-----What are the actual compression values?----Have you installed a new water pump impeller ?---
 

dwco5051

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Sep 14, 2008
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If my memory serves me right that there is no head gasket or removable head on those old Mercs. That leak is from the cylinder block cover which is basically a water jacket. If just a few drops now and then I would leave it alone as removing the cover to replace the cover gasket on a motor that old may end up being more of a job than expected due to snapped cover bolts. Look up cylinder block cover gaskets on an 82 40hp to see if I am right. I know the middle 70' models were that way.
Edit: Since I am still sitting at my computer I did look it up, Part Number 85490 block cover gasket.
 
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jimmbo

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I don't think there was a Power Trim System for the 2 cylinder 40hp. The Steering Yoke was different from the 50hp
 

Bribass

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Jan 6, 2026
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If my memory serves me right that there is no head gasket or removable head on those old Mercs. That leak is from the cylinder block cover which is basically a water jacket. If just a few drops now and then I would leave it alone as removing the cover to replace the cover gasket on a motor that old may end up being more of a job than expected due to snapped cover bolts. Look up cylinder block cover gaskets on an 82 40hp to see if I am right. I know the middle 70' models were that way.
Edit: Since I am still sitting at my computer I did look it up, Part Number 85490 block cover gasket.
Thanks
 

Bribass

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Jan 6, 2026
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Replace the water jacket gasket.----There is no cylinder head on that motor.-----What is your starting procedure?-----What are the actual compression values?----Have you installed a new water pump impeller ?---
Thanks. My starting procedure is kind of by feel. But I would say I prom it rank it over a couple times do the throttle in the half or full position and choke it eventually. Sorry I don’t have a great answer
 

Bribass

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Jan 6, 2026
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I don't think there was a Power Trim System for the 2 cylinder 40hp. The Steering Yoke was different from the 50hp
Is there any way to tell if I can or can’t based on the motor and some mounts? Or not really? I’m not really sure how they go. The bottom would just connect to the mounts where you can adjust the pins and the top to the motor some how. Or need different mounting? I guess is there a good way to know based off of the motor?
 
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