Old Merc Issues

[carpedebass]

I have recently purchased a 1973 Mercury 500 50 HP outboard for my boat. I have NO experience with boating and/or motors to fall back on and no one I know knows anything about them. My mechanical aptitude is limited (at best) as well, so keep in mind you are dealing with a dummy in these areas. My problem(s) are as follows:<br />Engine is hard to start. It seems very "cold natured" in that after squeezing the bulb several times and pushing the choke button, it takes several cranks to get the engine to run. Also, when on the water, I push the throttle forward and the engine speeds up some but it seems to take a minute or two to get up to full running speed. If I back off the throttle and push forward again, the same thing occurs. Is this normal?<br />I have also noticed that, since taking the boat out twice, water no longer comes out of the little hole at the top of the engine at idle. It also no longer comes out when I have the boat out of the water with the little earmuff looking flushers attached to the water intake. The previous owner told me that he had just had the engine redone in terms of wiring, carbs, etc but the lower unit will need to be serviced the end of this season. Please help a total newbie with these issues.

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Old Merc Issues

Don't run that motor until the water pump has been rebuilt, very serious damage will occur if the motor overheats.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Old Merc Issues

Ussally if a motor is hard to start and does not accerate well it is lean on the low speed adjustments, poor acceleration can also be caused by to much prop, if the telltale don't work on a hose, ck to see if the talltale is just plugged--Bob

 

[carpedebass]

Re: Old Merc Issues

Low speed adjustments means carb adjustments, right? Any suggestions on how to check if the telltale is plugged? Could it be partially plugged? It seems to spit water just fine at cruising speeds. It also has a new prop. Perhaps the previous owner put too big a prop on it. How do I tell?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Old Merc Issues

Yes the low speeds are the only ones that are adjustable, if the engine spits water at higher RPM but not at idle the impeller has a set and needs to be replaced, the engine should run around 5800 rpm with a average load in the boat

 

[carpedebass]

Re: Old Merc Issues

Thanks. I'll get to work on it.