1979-80 hp starting issues

country boy

Seaman
Joined
Dec 20, 2002
Messages
61
I have this 80 merc ser # 5141461 i just bought it so i don know the history but here is my problem and what i done so far.
1-rebuilt carbs soaked and changed the needle and seats checked float adj.
2-replaced the trigger /put an used one the orig.did not fire on 3&4
3-replaced the voltage regulator
4-replaced internal harness
5-replacetd the water pump
6-replaced the diaphram & check valves in the pump (fuel)
i also added a see thru glass fuel filter to see if it was pumping gas it is geting gas to the carbs it seem like it not geting to cyl.
Now here is the problem i a m having that i am stresserd about! it only will start if i put my hand over the carb for a second or two long enough for gas to come bellowing out then she will start.and then she runs pretty good ran it for a while then it started missing a little then i checked the plugs and the top 2 seem to be hotter than the bottom ones and the 3 & 4 looked cleaner than the rest the others had oily deposits and looked as it was firing on those and the 4th had oily deposits but kinda clean looking.when i killed it had to go through the same thing to get cranked again.fuel or fire? thanks for any input.
 
Last edited:

Wingedwheel

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 16, 2009
Messages
1,071
Re: 1979-80 hp starting issues

Sounds like you have fire or it wouldn't run with fuel or not. Could possibly be your reed valves.
 
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