Merc 1150 reed valve location

[AEROCOOK]

My buddys moving and offered me his boat and motor, its a mid 70s Merc 1150 and he seems to think it needs new reed valves.<br />Since the boat and motor were free, I dont mind spending a little cash to get it working well.<br />My questions are...Where are the reed valves located and how hard are they to replace? And secondly are they expensive and can you get "cheaper than OEM" aftermarket ones?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

The reed blocks are inbetween 1&2, 3&4, 5&6 cylinders on the crankshaft. The motor has to be completely disassembled, so you might as well re-ring it at the same time. Aftermarket parts are only slightly cheaper than original.

 

[OperativeK]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

Would be suprising that it actually did need them. How ofter do they need to be replaced. You might want to ask Clams before you go wasting your time.

 

[AEROCOOK]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

Thanks for the info folks.<br />My buddy is not mechanically at all, so I dont know how he came to believe that the reeds were bad, they are likely fine.<br />But just to be sure, is there a way to test them?

 

[jaxsun]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

dont quote me but i think you test each cylinder one at a time by putting it at tdc and blowing compressed air through the spark plug hole and if you hear air blowing out the carb you got a bad reed...im positive there are others here who can give you much more insightful instructions

 

[jheron]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

If the reeds are bad it wont idle down like it should. Also you will likley see gas spraying out the carbs if they are real bad. It probly just needs a good decarb and the carbs cleaned up! Do a compression test too...<br />Jon

 

[kfraser]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

I hate to throw a question on top of another post, but if the reeds are bad will this result in low compression?

 

[Coolmaker]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

No the compression is a separate issue...

 

[AEROCOOK]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

Well I finally got around to picking up the boat this past weekend and have verified the motor to be a 1974 1150.<br />I mentioned in another unrelated post that the bottom end requires repair or replacement.<br />Before I go head over heals throwing money at the motor, I would like to run a few tests to see if what I have is worth fixing, so back to the reed valve topic...<br />I should begin by mentioning that the powerhead was rebuilt a while ago, and I would assume that they would have been replaced during a complete tear down, but I dont know for sure.<br />I will start with a ion test, if the results are positive, I would really like to know for sure what condition the reeds are in.<br />Can the reeds be visualy checked with the carbs off or with a borascope?<br />Dont want to sound like a cheapskate, but I dont want to tear this thing apart as the wife has me on a very limited budget.<br />Any help is appreciated

 

[AEROCOOK]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

Wierdest thing, every time I type the word KUMPRESHUN properly, it gets changed to ion ??<br />Hope this helps you understand the previous post.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

 

[joblo33]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

Get the rest of the motor working, run some decarb through, rebuild the carbs, possibly rebuild fuel pumps, then mess with the reeds if theres still a problem. Reeds are pretty basic and don't fail often. Usually when someone thinks the reeds are bad it's because the carbs aren't clean. Cleaning carbs and rebuilding fuel pumps are basic maintenance anyways, so you may as well try them first. Reeds are a pain to access if they're not actually the problem.<br />Eric

 

[jheron]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

What Eric B said. Once you get it running it will be apparent if the reeds are shot or not. Your compression tests will tell you if its worth throwing money at or not.<br />If you decide that its not worth the time and money I know some one who may be willing to buy it in your area! <br />regards Jon

 

[AEROCOOK]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

Thanks to all for the input and advice. Once I get it running, I will be selling it, the tag on the boat says maximum power 36 kw and if my calculations are correct, thats just over 48 hp. I know you can cheat a little bit on the power rating for a boat but 48 hp to 115 hp is going a little too far IMHO.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

The reeds will affect idle. If the timing and synch is set right, the carbs clean and set right, and you decarb the motor and comression is good, tyhen the reeds or reedblocks become "what's left" after everything else is right. If you can get it to idle under 1000 it's good enough to go.<br /><br />-W

 

[AEROCOOK]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

Thanks for the info, If I can get $300 for it as is it gone, otherwise I will keep and repair.

 

[jheron]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

Have you taken any compression readings yet?<br />regards Jon

 

[AEROCOOK]

Re: Merc 1150 reed valve location

Not yet but I will.