79' Merc 40 hp thunderbolt...

just bought a small boat with a 79' 40hp merc thunderbold on it... been sitting for 4 years but nothing seeems to be frozen. As i am new, what should be my first steps to bringing this outboard back to life? Please help a newbie out...

Re: 79' Merc 40 hp thunderbolt...

newbie said:

just bought a small boat with a 79' 40hp merc thunderbold on it... been sitting for 4 years but nothing seeems to be frozen. As i am new, what should be my first steps to bringing this outboard back to life? Please help a newbie out...

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WOOPS not used to the new fromat

Re: 79' Merc 40 hp thunderbolt...

drain all old gas form tank and carbs/pull spark plugs and inject some type of good penatriting oil / turn engine a few times -slow by hand-hook plugs back up ,but don't put them back in engine / make sure they are grounded. crank engine over a few times to see if it has fire-not many , unless you add more lube ,cause without gas-oil mix there is no lube. if it has fire put plugs in .gas/oil hooked up . try her and see if your lucky and it starts.change L/U oil. if it don't we'll be here8)

Re: 79' Merc 40 hp thunderbolt...

remove plugs. tilt motor all the way up. put marvel mystery oil in the plug holes, and let it sit over night, so it can penetrate the rings. now let the engine down and be ready to catch the excess oil . put a towel over the back of the engine to keep oil from blowing all over everything behind it. with the pulgs out try to turn it over. it successful check for spark. if you have spark. now put the plugs in. take a spray or squeeze bottle and put new premixed gas and oil 50-1 in the bottle. spray gas mixture into the carbs. it you are really lucky it will fire and try to run. you are probably going to have to rebuild the carbs, and will definately have to service the water pump & new impeller. good luck

Re: 79' Merc 40 hp thunderbolt...

Thanks guys... i'll be tackling it this weekend.

Re: 79' Merc 40 hp thunderbolt...

read in the engine faq section 'awakening a sleeping outboard' worth your time.