1948 Wizard 5hp

63seasprite

Cadet
Joined
Jul 29, 2003
Messages
10
I've got a 5hp Wizard that was given to me, and as I'm sure you all know was made by Western Auto. To start, the motor looks great, almost brand new and it is not locked up. The compression is good. Diassembled and cleaned the carb although there wasn't a speck of dirt inside. Lower unit grease is good. I've gotten the motor to sputter, but I keep having troubles with the rope. The rewind assembly is bolted in the top of the hood and the hood is held to the motor via 3 bolts. I stumbled across a dealer that had a new cable in the box for this motor, and (I mean steel cable) to install. I installed, maybe got 10 pulls and it won't pull out anymore. I feel the cable is too cumbersome and not very smooth. Can anyone recommend a rope to use in this? I've got a 1950 14ft Plazacraft I john I want to run this motor on. I've restored the boat and it will make a good jug runner on the back sloughs in my hometown. Any ideas? Thanks!!
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: 1948 Wizard 5hp

Your Wizard was built by Mercury and is similar to the K4 or K5 Merc. You can get Wizard help at the Wizard site. there is a link at Johns Old Mercury Web Site www.pfs-ware.com.<br /> Im not an expert on those recoils but havent heard of them being a problem.If the motor is set up right it should only take a couple of pulls to start.Check the coils for cracks or corrosion.<br /> Set the points at .020.<br /> Most motors that have sat a long time need a careful cleaning of the fuel system especially<br /> all jets and passages in the carb.<br /> Initial jet settings are important you may be able to get them at the Merc/Wizard site.<br /> Otherwise about 1 1/2 turns out from gently bottomed will probably be close enough.Do the final setting warm at speed under load.
 
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