'76 150HP Flywheel Runs Backwards

[kthomas]

This Mercury is at HARRISON'S SPORT SHOP an authorised Mercury Repair center. They've had it since June '05. It was brought in for "spring commissioning" in prep for resale, mice had chewed the spark plug wires over winter and the tilt/trim needed fluid, lower unit fliud change... stuff like that. <br /><br />Now they tell me it runs backwards and they want to replace the distributer, which they've spent 2 1/2 months looking for a used part. <br /><br />Recap:<br />150HP Mercury Outboard, 1976 model, straight six, It's reported to start and then "kick" and then the flywheel runs backwards. This sounds like a timing problem to me, not a distributer related issue. <br /><br />Any ideas what should be checked? Is it unusual for a motor that I think should be running to have been in the shop so long? What should I do, I'm maybe $500 into the repair bill at this time! I stopped by the shop Saturday and my boat was uncovered and full of leaves! (I'm a pro photographer, I had a camera and took photos.)<br /><br />Your thoughts on what I need to do would be well appreciated. <br />/kelly thomas

 

[Laddies]

Re: '76 150HP Flywheel Runs Backwards

Thats definitly a timing problem, if the dist. was bad it wouldn't run at all

 

[emckelvy]

Re: '76 150HP Flywheel Runs Backwards

Sounds like the belt timing is WAY off. They're trying to turn your motor into a Dockbuster! Surprising they're an authorized factory dlr!!!!!<br /><br />They should probably check the orientation of all the plug wires in the distributor cap to ensure they haven't mixed-up any of those, either.<br /><br />Pretty obvious they're not putting any kind of priority on fixing your motor.<br /><br />G'luck.......ed

 

[rodbolt]

Re: '76 150HP Flywheel Runs Backwards

if it will actually run backwards the trigger is bad, some of the triggers are NLA from merc and when they were they were close to 300 dollars and took about 5 hours to change, thats why they want a known good complete distributer.<br /> two strokes will run clockwise just as well as counter clockwise, the pistons could care less, the water pump,and lower unit gears do care.<br />best I remember the anti-reversing was built into the trigger on the distributor battery CD mercs and the packs on the AD mercs.<br /> myself I would not touch a motor that old anymore as you can rapidly exceed the valure of the motor with a part or two and 4 hours labor. been stuck with a few old ones.<br /> now on the rare occasion ill touch one, I have all the estimate money up front and the estimate clearly states that due to the age of the motor the estimate may have a 100% or greater error. and then they sign it.<br /> I believe Rapair has the triggers now but somedealerships will only deal with OEM.<br /> timing belt orientation takes maybe 5 minutes to check.<br /> figguring out why its capeable of running backwards is a bit tougher.<br /> the old 3 cyl jonnyrudes were notorious for running backwards just after the anti-reversing spring under the rotor wore out or stuck.<br /> a few of the V-4's did it as well. a few models would actually start if you turned the key to the on position regardless of throttle or shift lever position.<br /> if your that dissastified pay for whats been done and take it someplace else.<br /> but its a problem I have seen twice on mercs built since the late 60's and both were trigger issues.

 

[orca]

Re: '76 150HP Flywheel Runs Backwards

Rodbolt<br />Do you remember the direct reversing motors that Merc built in the 1950's? As I recall, they had two starter motors. To reverse the boat you switched off the motor then engaged the second starter motor, the motor then started up in reverse.!!<br />I have only seen one motor accidently start up backwards, that was an old str 6 merc about 1968 vintage, we junked the motor.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: '76 150HP Flywheel Runs Backwards

The direct revers motors used the same starter - it ran both ways. <br /><br />Take your motor to another shop... NOW. <br /><br />Are the I6 triggers NLA now?? !!!!<br /><br />-W

 

[kthomas]

Re: '76 150HP Flywheel Runs Backwards

For the most part, this place is the only game in town. Next best is like 45+ miles one way. <br /><br />I quickly found a trigger that might work or be a source...<br /> http://www.outboardignition.com/mandmsearch.asp?cat=itemname&cval=5&hval=43&val=11 <br /><br />but check out the latest. <br /> http://trina.clubhause.com/2005/12/07#a283 <br /><br />See what they promised on Saturday and what I found this morning four days later when I was in the area and stopped by! They got some serious *** kissing coming up. <br /><br />Thanks for you help! I'll ya posted. <br />/kelly

 

[timmathis]

Re: '76 150HP Flywheel Runs Backwards

I don't think that is the right trigger for your model! Tim

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: '76 150HP Flywheel Runs Backwards

Reread your first post.You say it starts,then kicks.Does start mean it runs abit THEN kicks and the flywhhel spins backward,or does it actually run backwards.If it runs abit,then kicks,the backfire is making the flywheel spin backwards.Lots of things can cause a backfire,including water in the fuel.Most engines try to spin backwards when they backfire.<br /><br />We don't do much work on these because how much money can you put into a thirty year old motor ?<br /><br />DHP