How does a older 5hp Merc cool?

[duffysco]

I recently purchased a small motor and aluminum boat just to get at the crappies. Its an old Mercury 5hp (white cowling) It runs good but I am wondering in what manner does this motor cool itself. I don't see water intakes for water cooling. So either they are not there or I don't see them. Could this be air cooled? I also have one other question. The motor starts fine with a couple pulls then after a mile or two it will start to run rough then kill. Its getting plenty of gas. It seems hot because of smell. It won't start for a while then after a couple minutes it will fire and run again for a while. Any ideas. Spark seems OK, Gas OK, If this is water cooled I can't find the intakes and I was thinking they were clogged or something. While motor is running I don't see any water shooting out any orifice.

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: How does a older 5hp Merc cool?

Kind of hard to tell by the color white as a model distinction.<br /><br />But anyway they are water cooled and I believe if you look closer you will see a water intake on the foot area maybe some holes arond the propellewr shaft housing of under the cavitation plate.<br /><br />Perhaps it does not have a hole that squirts water but if you put your hand in the exhaust while it's running there should be water enough to wet your hand in that exhaust.