1975 mercruiser 140 hp issues

[ltwattseagle]

I have a 1975 glaspar cutlass. I work for a Boy Scout camp and the boat was donated (hahaha). I took the boat out yesterday and I had these two issues:

1. The boat started/idled well but the engine was balky and wanted to stall when applying throttle. (I know from reading the other forums to change the plugs, filters, fuel pumps, use fresh gas, and mostly adjust the timing). Now, more importantly, #2:

2. After running the boat for about 10-15 minutes at cruise speed, the boat shut off and the motor wouldn't even crank when you turned the key. After taking the engine hatch off, I had to push the "reset" button on the engine for the engine to crank. What exactly is the purpose of this switch? Is this an electrical problem or is it in some way related to problem #2?

Thanks again for all of your help. These forums are great!

[swihartart]

Hello,
1. I think you got this one. Donated boat probably has not been serviced for a while. Get your manual from the adults only sticky, read, read, read some more as you go over everything that needs serviced.

2. It's a circuit breaker, something is tripping it, short more than likely but it could be lots of things.

Hope this helps.

[Capt Jimbo]

I'm new here. Great forum BTW and lots of info.

This is just a guess and let me know if I'm totally off base. After 10-15 min. maybe the ignition coil over heated, shorted out and tripped the breaker.

[ltwattseagle]

Thanks, guys.

The motor will get a full tune-up, timing adjusted, and carb rebuild over the weekend (for good measure).

I'll post after I take it out. Thanks again!