what should my 80hp outboard be idling at

Glavini

Cadet
Joined
Jun 19, 2012
Messages
23
I have a 1980 80hpmercury outboard that's now on my 24' pontoon boat. Have replaced a few things to get her running. Throttle cable being one of them, what rpm should I be idling at?
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,035
The correct idle speed is the slowest it will idle in gear, in the water w/o stalling. Normally that is about 850 in the water in neutral. Adjust the idle stop to that RPM, and adjust the throttle cable to push the throttle to the idle stop.
 

Glavini

Cadet
Joined
Jun 19, 2012
Messages
23
I'm pretty sure I need to get a new tach I have it so it's right at he point before it stalls but it's reading high
 

Faztbullet

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
15,589
Correct idle in gear rpm is 550-650 rpm,out of gear idle should be 800-1000rpm
 
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