TOPIC: Merc 1400, 1979

Ok,

I took a detour from the floor rebuild on the Glastron and wanted to work on the engine. It is a 1979 Merc 1400.

I replaced the impeller and lower unit oil. I put a new wiring harness on it. Hooked up a tank with new gas/oil.

It runs but I have to keep hitting the choke to keep it going. So, that seems like a fuel issue, maybe fuel pump? I did take that apart and it looked ok.

Any ideas from the experts?

Thanks in advance,

Ken

adjust the idle screws. try 1/2 turn moe out to keep it running.then adjust when warmed up.

Ok! Will try that asap.

Also, I didn't see water out of the tell tale yet but that may be because the engine didn't get hot enough yet to open the thermostat... or maybe the thermostat is stuck.

Ken

or it could need a impeller.or just clogged tell tail.

I don't think there is a thermostat on your motor.

I think you are right, I looked at the Clymer manual and it looks like the thermostat is on the V6 engine only?

Yes,
check the telltale hole. My '78 1400 was plugged by a wasp. I used some mig-wire to clear it and it works fine now. It takes 2-3 seconds after you start it- for the water to start flowing.

My 70 500 was clogged and kept recloging I used low pressue air to blow it out works fine now. Was alot of mud in the lower unit and I assume the block that needed to work out seems fine now.

Yep, it was a clogged tell tale hole! Some kinda hard resin in it. I then used a guitar string, a "D", and ran that up and down the tube up to the power head. I see pee!

I may have some time tomorrow to look at the carbs. I don't want to take them apart completely if possible so is there a way I can get some carb cleaner in the bowls and around the needles?

Mechanic in a can

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just won't clean the internals of a carburetor or the jets.

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Too much risk of ruining a 2 stroke with plugged carburetor /s

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Take them apart and clean them properly.

Ken, you can try running a double dose of Seafoam, Startron, or StaBil Marine formula through it. I have to agree with the professor though, the best way is to pull them down, clean them thoroughly, and put fresh kits in them. I'm told the newer kits contain methanol resistant gaskets, etc.. Eventually the older stuff will be eaten up by the new type gas. The carbs aren't that complicated or hard to rebuild, it's just taking off all the other stuff on the motor to do it that is a pain in the butt. Take lots of pics before, during, and after, and you can do it!

Mark,

I may try some Seafoam first. I have never rebuilt a carburator sucessfully ... that I know of but I have a friend who has. He helped me rebuild an Atomic 4 sailboat engine... I'm good at getting them apart, but not back together.

On a 2 stroke the carburetors

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MUST BE CLEAN

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You risk serious damage to the engine if you are running with plugged / partially plugged carburetors.----No fuel also means no oil!!!

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The " tower of power " is a great motor if properly maintained.

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After you clean one of these carburetors you will say

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" that was easy "

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Most outboards end up scrapped / torn apart because somebody made a mistake.-Hoping that " mechanic in a can " will clean the carburetors is one of the mistakes.

While I agree there is no substitute for rebuilding carbs, I have had excellent results using Seafoam to keep the fuel systems clean in my antique outboards, lawn equipment, cars, etc. I also hate rebuilding carbs.