what is it

[gloomis70]

i won a bid on a storage shed for 400dollars to day.
it has a 1971 starbuck boat. the motor is a mercury i think. it has 6 spark plugs in it. how do i tell what the hp it is? and any tips on finding out if the motor is good. it does turn over no fuel in tank. im in fortcollins colorao.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: what is it

You are on the correct track. Count the spark plugs, see if the motor is an inline 6 or a V6, see if the motor has a distributor as well. Post this info, plus the serial number from the transom bracket, if you can find it. Merc made inline six motors from the early 60s to the late 80s. They had HP ranges from 80HP - 150HP. The most popular surviving inline sixes were the 115HP models, from the seventies and eighties. I would start with the guess that you have a '71 115HP motor, and try to disprove.

Post the block color, if it is silver. Also a picture of the cowling, and the part number of the block can give clues.

BTW- don't try to start it until it has clean carbs, the spark advance is set correctly and the fuel in new (likely a 50::1 gas oil mix)

 

[gloomis70]

Re: what is it

thanks for the reply. its a 1978 115 mc.
put new plugs, cleand the carbs and jets.new fuel.
and it runs good and sounds great. tilt trim works good.
never restored a boat be for thinking im going to give it a shot.

 

[emckelvy]

Re: what is it

Recommend you renew the impeller.

Since you know nothing of the motor's past history, no telling the last time the impeller's been replaced.

It sounds like you found a good motor and it'd be a shame to burn up the powerhead.

It would also be a good idea to give the engine a decarbonizing treatment, check this FAQ:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158076&highlight=seafoam

HTH..........ed