Taking it out on the water

[Reinder]

I spent the last three years getting my 1972 Mercury 1350 to Run. Finally ready to put it on the boat and take it out.
Could use some advise and wise words and things to think about.

One thing I noticed is that the distributor has regular sparkwires that use spring action to hold. During test run it fell out and I replaced the tip with a treaded terminal. Should I do this for all of them and how do I crimp them on the wire ?

Is there anything else that will rattle loose, fall apart, dissolve or generally try to get the better of me...

I have no history on the boat or motor as I bought it for $ 25 at ebay auction. So any thought are welcome.

Thanks.

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Taking it out on the water

No specific advise regarding your exact motor because you haven't provided a whole lot of detail on the work you've done. that being said, every bit of electrical wiring on those motors rots. Stay close to the ramp until you're 100% sure you're going to be ok.

 

[Reinder]

Re: Taking it out on the water

Thanks Jeff,

replaced all the wiring, replaced switch box, cleaned carburators, serviced lower unit, replaced fuel pump gaskets, replaced fuel tubing, startermotor and solenoid, general cleaning etc.

Previous owner(s) clearly started but then let it sit for years as far as I can see. Having the ignition wire fall out was somewhat unexpected and only then did I discover that it should have had treaded ignition wire terminals.

I've read alot on this forum, but thought to seek some advise from folks having seen more than me.

So, please all input is welcome.

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Taking it out on the water

If the motor is running on dry land, the first thing you want to do is get it half in the water and make sure it will run and idle in gear, on the trailer. If you can get it to idle and go in and out of forward and reverse without killing it, you're probably going to be ok.

You've done a proper link and sync? I've worked and and owned a couple inline mercury's but not your specific model with the distributor ignition. I'm pretty sure that the timing specs that are printed on the motor need to be retarded a few degrees to deal with the diferences in today's fuel.

Whatever you do - be safe and prepared!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Taking it out on the water

There is a Link and Synch for Mercury Inlines posted in the FAQ on this forum. Ingition timing for that motor should be 4-6* BTDC for idle pickup and no more than 21* BTDC for max timing.

You can pick up proper spark plug wires for $5-6 each at vintagemercs.com (or was it Oldmercs.com) They are the yellow 36" tigertails. You will need to install the push in spring clips and the plug boots yourself.