carb? on 66 merc 350

[mspoutdoors]

trying to bring to life a 1966 merc 350 that has sat for many years. cleaned whole engine, changed plugs, getting good spark and compression, starter brushes were broke and workin on getting replacements, so I have been trying to pull start the motor. first I had to find neutral, did that, with new gas in a clean gas tank with proper oil/gas mix I cant get it to turn over. got a few pops and some smoke, no start. changed old fuel lines and fuel pump gaskets/diaphram, still no start. Took off carb and with the carb gasket kit started cleaning with carb spray and compressed air. noticed a hairline crack running down the idle tube (about 1/3 the length, in middle, not touching either ends) in carb that I cant tell if it goes all the way through. also the float seems to "lean" to one side, didn't notice any holes or cracks or gas inside float (it floats but it kind of sinks a little on one side). are these two components about impossible to get replacements for? are they affecting motor performance very much? Any insight advise would be great. Love reading iboats.com, very helpful.

ps: I love working on the boat and motor (they were free). Boat is a 1966 Crosby sled.

thanks Matt

 

[Laddies]

Re: carb? on 66 merc 350

There are no compartments in the float and the center pin should keep it in place, anyway if it's sinking it would be rich and backfiring is a lean condition, but a cracked idle tube would cause a lean condition a new one is probably impossible to find so you might try a couple of thin coats of epoxt resin to the crack or try to find a doner carb.