1972 500 not run in 3 years. what to do before trying

[damoldyank]

Hi Thanks for looking, I got this 72 50 hp s# 3236173 from a guy who said it ran great 3 years ago but when he tried to start it in the spring 2 years ago it wouldn't start. He said there was no spark.Sooo it has not been run for 3 years. What I would like to know is if there is any prestart things that I should do, because it has set so long, before I hook a battery to it. It turns over by hand. I have the SELOC book, but I don't want to add to the prob. that I have.<br /> Thanks Dean

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1972 500 not run in 3 years. what to do before trying

Lube the engine and I always pre lube the cyls. with a squirt can hook up the water and give her a try

 

[prolinews]

Re: 1972 500 not run in 3 years. what to do before trying

check for crumbling wires they seem to rot on the older mercs I've seen

 

[erniex]

Re: 1972 500 not run in 3 years. what to do before trying

Try cleaning the inside of the distributor cap and rotor. My 73 85hp went through the same routine. Cap and rotor were corroded (green)inside from sitting around and moisture.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 1972 500 not run in 3 years. what to do before trying

Also check the lower unit lube and maybe drop the LU and check the water pump and impeller...probably needs a new impeller at the very least. A local shop can pressure test the LU to see if the seals are still good. A good step if the LU indicates water in the lube after you do the pump/impeller and test run it in the water. Clean fuel tank, lines and carbs are another bonus...sometimes you have to go through those if they left gas sitting in the system. If your lucky, they didn't and it will take its juice, fire up and want to go the lake.

 

[damoldyank]

Re: 1972 500 not run in 3 years. what to do before trying

Thanks all, Been messing with it all day. Sun shining and in the mid 70s. Cant't get no better. I pulled the pluges and put a little oil in. put some jumpers on and water came out of the top of starter. Took the starter off,opened, dumded out water, cleaned and it workes fine. Checked the compresion, about 115 on all. Shift cables are bad so when I opened the box, all the wires on the switches were rotted. Cut them off about 8in and rewired. Now it cranks with the key, but it still has no spark. That's for another day. Thanks all, and I KNOW I will be back for help. Dean