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    Scrap boat or sell it.

    I got a newer boat so I need to get the other one out of the yard. It's a 1976 16 foot aluminum jon boat. The transom is wood and is pretty solid. I was thinking about trying to sell it on Craig's list for $500 but don't know if it would be easier to take it and the title to the scrap yard...
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    Swapping Trailer Axles

    I have 2 old trailers that were used for towing 16 ft aluminum jon boats. One trailer is rusty junk with a new axle, bearings and tires. The other trailer is good but the tires are junk and the bearing buddies are caked in years worth of splattered grease. It looks like I can just switch...
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    How damaged are these threads.

    I am in the middle of driving a sandpoint well. It was going so good and then the drive coupling of the pipe loosened up while I was pounding and now the threads are distorted. After looking at these pictures, what are my options? I'm thinking -use it anyway -buy a tap and chase the threads -cut...
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    Why don't I see more jet motors?

    The river I fish is shallow, mostly 3-5 feet deep with gravel bars and rocks and yet I never see jet motors. The most popular motor out there is definitely the older Mercuries from the 90's either 25-30 Hp. That leads me to think that there is something undesirable about jets. Is there a...
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    Are newer 4 cycles vastly improved?

    I'm looking to buy a preowned 4 cycle 25 hp tiller motor. I'm seeing some for sale that are 20 years old. Is there a certain year that serves as cut off where I don't want to buy because they weren't that good at that time? Also I noticed that the price difference between and older 2 cycle...
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    R.I.P. Boat Motor 1981-2020

    My boat motor died last night. The last few times I took the boat out I thought is smelled like something was burning. The water pump was working so I didn't know what else to do. Last night as I was power loading onto the trailer the motor shook violently and then stopped. The motor is now...
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    Is there a standard fuel hose size?

    I am looking to buy a fuel tank hose and primer bulb assembly for a 18 hp 1980 Mercury. I can barely read the markings (3/8) on my old sun baked hose. Most of the hoses I see sold online say 5/16. What I don't understand is whether or not this is an outer or inner diameter. Is it like...
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    Fixed my motor than I wrecked the prop.

    I had been struggling with getting my motor running for weeks now. I did a lot of research and testing tinkering and learning. At last the motor roared to life and idled beautifully. I took it to the river and carefully backed it off the trailer backing straight off the bunks. I was off the...
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    Confused by 2 timing marks

    I have a 1981 20 hp mercury serial 5608471. I borrowed a timing light and now I want to verify the timing. I am confused by 2 timing marks on the flywheel. The marks look like a little vertical line stamped into the flywheel and outlined in white paint. Why are there two? Which one should I...
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    How should I test the fuel pump?

    I am having trouble with my 1981 20 hp mercury. I am in the process of borrowing a timing light and a compression gauge. In the meantime I want to evaluate the health of my fuel pump. How should I do that? I already replaced all of the gaskets and cleaned the inlet screen. The only thing that...
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    Engine dies at acceleration only.

    Firstly, thanks for all the help so far. I have a 1981 20 hp Mercury that would not start at all. I disassembled the carb and cleaned with carb cleaner and a can of compressed air. Now the engine runs like a champ at idle and WOT. The problem now is that most of the time the engine bogs down...
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    Where to order 80's era Merc Parts?

    I have a 1980-1981 18hp Mercury. It runs great and I want to use it. I want to know where I can order basic parts such as carb and fuel pump gaskets. Crowley Marine has some of the gaskets but most are no longer available. . Does anyone know of an online retailer that would stock these...
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    Concerned with mechanics response

    I dropped off my 18 hp 1981 mercury at a certified repair center. All of the lower unit oil leaked out during winter storage. I called after two weeks of not hearing anything and was told, "He but some stuff in there to seal it and he is waiting for it to seal. The first stuff he put in there...
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    Exhaust drip or gear oil?

    I have a 1981 18hp Mercury that is dripping something. The drip is coming from behind the prop. Good ole Uncle Scott put new prop seals in it last year before I bought the motor from him. Here are some pictures of the oil. It looks like a greenish tint but maybe not. The 2 cycle oil I use is...
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    (Non) adhesive lined heat shrink butt connectors?

    I have always used Ancor brand, heat shrink, adhesive lined, butt connectors for all trailer wiring and it works wonderfully. As the heat shrink sleeve shrinks it oozes out a nice glob of adhesive that holds the wire and waterproof it. WestMari$$$$ wants 10 dollars to ship 3 connectors and there...
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    How should I buy an axle?

    I have a trailer from the 70's that needs a new axle, hubs bearings etc. How should I go about buying a new one? Should I take the axle off and bring it to a trailer shop and have them measure it and find a suitable match or should I order one my self. I have a good pair of calipers and I don't...
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    Torque value for spanner nut?

    What I have here is a spanner nut that presses the prop shaft along with the reverse gear into the gear box. The spanner nut is marred from the last person who owned the engine. It looks like the removed it by using the punch method. I'm currently trying to find the right tool to reassemble. I...
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    Which hp for idle speed?

    I have a 16 foot aluminum, flat bottom jon boat. The lake I want to fish is about 80 acres and is an idle speed lake with a 10hp restriction. My question is what motor would be strong enough to fight a stiff wind and get me around the lake at idle speed. These portable 4 strokes are...
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    Can't find year- tried everything

    I'm trying to find the year of my mercury outboard. I have tried the links posted in the stickies and I can't find my exact serial number. The previous owner says its an 80's. I found a few that are close but not really. Can anyone give me an idea? Thanks for the help. The serial number is...
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    Where do we buy manuals nowadays?

    It's been a while since I worked on a boat. I have an 18hp 1981 Mercury outboard that wont shift into drive or reverse. I don't want to go tearing into it without a manual. My question is, "Where are people buying repair manuals nowadays? Should I buy a paper copy or a digital one? It sounds...
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