1981 Mercury 70hp

[Dhydrated]

Hey guys just bought an old Silver Line 17ft bow rider, with a 1981 Mercury 70hp. Thing will only start with starter fluid sprayed in the carbs then will get up too about 2600 rpms then will die at full throttle. Brought it to a marina had mechanic check it out and he called me with this not so good news...

All fuel lines deteriorated
No water in carbs but top carb float is stuck, needs to be cleaned
voltage regulator melted
Bare wires twisted together in powerhead (yikes)

With all that said he advised me not to put any money into, but it will run at 2600 rpms. Would trying to do any of these things myself be worth it? Or should I just face the fact that I bought a junker? As far as I am thinking I could replace all the fuel lines, and try to fix the carbs... is it worth it? I got the whole boat and trailer for $800. Im willing to show her some love

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: 1981 Mercury 70hp

They are kind of minor repairs, depends upon how much time and effort you wish to put into the motor. Also how much you can do yourself. The carb cleaning is easy, and the kits are rather inexpensive. Fuel lines again are easy to change. Voltage regulators, (could be smoked from a reverse battery installation), but easy to fix, as for the bare twisted wires, it depends on which ones you mean. I am not sure but the stator could also be gone. That might be the most expensive repair. IF it was my motor, I would first check a few things. The compression in each cylinder. The bottom end fluid. A good visual examination, looking for cracks, signs of motor and rock/ other things collisions on the bullet end of the gear case. The skag, etc. If all looks well it might be worth fixing.

 

[Dhydrated]

Re: 1981 Mercury 70hp

Yea I hear you, thanks for the advice. So do you think cleaning the carbs and changing the fuel lines would do it justice? I also may think that the engine may be running to rich or to lean, I assume messing with the mixture needles would solve this? As for the compression according to the guy who sold it to me, is good on all cylinders if thats true who knows... the bottom the the engine is in good condition and will go, it just seems to want more or less fuel... as for starting who knows