Hard to turn over Merc..Now what

Thanks to the help from Chris1956. You were right I don't have an '82 motor.

My last post wasn't concise so here is the deal.

I have a 1977 Thunderbolt 850 (85 hp) that is still hard to turn over. I have replaced the starter and the battery and put WD-40 through the plug-holes and it turns over fine with the plugs removed. I bought it with electrical problems so it hasn't run while I have owned it.

In neutral it sounds like rubber bands binding up a little in the mid to lower unit portion of the motor. But it is neutral (prop is not spinning).

Does anyone know what to make of this? The reasons for a hard to turn over motor...that turns over fine with the plugs out?

Thanks in advance.

Re: Hard to turn over Merc..Now what

Squeeky rubber noise is from the dry impeller turning .

Drop the lower unit then try turning the engine again, you could add a garden hose to the water tube from the lower and start the motor.

Mainly, just see if the binding or stiffness is in the motor or the lower.

Re: Hard to turn over Merc..Now what

Take the battery cables off, both ends. Carefully clean the terminals and the point of connection.

Let us know what you find.

Re: Hard to turn over Merc..Now what

JB is correct. Dirty connections, bad battery or a bad solenoid, are preventing sufficient current from reaching the starter motor.

Re: Hard to turn over Merc..Now what

JB and JamesR...

YOU WERE RIGHT! THANK YOU!

Charlie...I led you with than one I think so your good record is intact.

The culprit: Cheap jumper cables. I was jumping from a new battery to the lugs on the starter. The jumper cables were a cheap piece of sh!t, apparently. Cost me a lot of money and a fair amount of grief. I would have been hating life to have torn into this thing further. Your experience is much appreciated. I owe you guys big time. THANKS!