1972 Mercury 20hp overheating?

[Fordcruser]

I just bought a little boat with a 20hp (200)mercury. Motor started and ran poorly first day I tried it(in my driveway). I replaced all the engine wiring as it was in bad shape. I cleanded and set the points to .020. Tried to start it again and it ran like a scalded dog...for a few minutes. It died with a throttle movement and would not start again, no spark at all. Can I be possibly overheating, and if so, would this affect electrics? Any suggestions would be helpful. I just want to go fishing.

 

[Fordcruser]

Re: 1972 Mercury 20hp overheating?

^

 

[dkondelik]

Re: 1972 Mercury 20hp overheating?

Mornin Fordcruser,<br /><br />Yup, 'guess it could be.<br />Can you offer more detail?<br />Was it on "muffs"? In a tank? <br />Was there a good stream of water exiting the "Pee" hole?<br /><br />A rule of thumb, If you can hold your hand on the exhaust cover without getting "Burned", you shoud be OK.<br /><br />If you don't know the last time that the impeller was changed, then change it now.<br /><br />Good Luck<br />HAVE FUN!

 

[Fordcruser]

Re: 1972 Mercury 20hp overheating?

I had the motor in a trash can full of water, so it was kind of hard to see how much water was exiting the pee hole. The impeller has never been changed as far as I know. I'm just not sure how that would affect the electrics, but I'll do it anyways. Could my condenser be breaking down after a period of run time?

 

[Fordcruser]

Re: 1972 Mercury 20hp overheating?

Is there a component that might be failing from time to time? I can't understand how I went from having outstanding spark, to none at all.

 

[Fordcruser]

Re: 1972 Mercury 20hp overheating?

Replaced points and point insulators. Runs great now.