Replacement Carb Jet - 1989 45HP

[stpierce]

I have a 1989 Mercury Classic Fifty 45HP outboard S/N 0B394639 4 cylinder 2 stroke.
I am bogging down when I get to mid/high RPM's. Additionally, my upper carb (WMA 6-3) leaks fuel out of the bowl onto the lower carb. I took apart and did a rebuild and noticed that the .057 carb (catalog # 1399-1457) was completely missing (not in the bowl or lodged elsewhere in the carb, fuel lines, etc). This motor is new to me - previous owner must have forgotten to re-install. I have searched high and low online and cannot find a replacement. I even tried to buy a set of Holley .058 carb jets (too big).
My question is, does anyone know where I can buy a replacement carb jet or an aftermarket one that will fit?
If not, how bad would it be to replace with a different size jet? Should I go smaller or larger diameter?

Any help would be super appreciated.

 

[racerone]

Your location ?

 

[harringtondav]

I just did some shotgun searching on other Merc. outboards. 1395-6359 is a .052" jet that goes in a WME-68/93 30 hp carb. and other applications It's available. For <$7 it may be worth a try to see if it fits, and if so how it works.

If it fits and your motor runs OK, but not good enough, you could get a #54 drill bit (.055") and open the jet up. It will likely drill a little oversize, maybe close enough.

 

[stpierce]

Racerone - I am in Fayetteville Arkansas.
Harringtondav - Those are some good thoughts. From what I can see in the picture, it looks like it is about the same shape/size. I may give it a try. It has to be much better than what I have going on right now.

Thanks for the help. I am still open to any other suggestions as I work to get this straightened out.

 

[Alex from GA]

IMO it's bad advice drilling out jets. Jet sizes are measured by flow not hole size.

 

[stpierce]

Well, finally got the .052 jet# 1395-6359 in and tried to install. It was slightly too big to fit.
Are there any other suggestions out there for this problem?

 

[roscoe]

[h=1]1399-1655 - Jet -.055, Should fit, nlp but marine engine says they have 10 in stock[/h]

 

[stpierce]

To close the loop on this thread, Roscoe you were exactly right and the 1399-1655 - Jet -.055 fit like a glove and my motor runs great now.
I can't express how thankful I am after the HOURS of research, carb rebuilding, more research, and buying the wrong parts to have this problem behind me.
Thanks for the help everyone.