operating a mercury 2 cycle 60's era

I have just purchased a glasspar G3 with a merc 650 outboard. There are no owners manuals for the engine and I would appreciate a little help for a novice owner. I got it started and can operate the idle throttle, but I cant get the boat to "go" in the forward position. It will idle forward, but won't go to full speed.

Any old hands out there who have some helpful hints I will appreciate it immensley.

Thanks,

Tim

Re: operating a mercury 2 cycle 60's era

Welcome to iboats.

First a compression check should be in order. Is there spark at all cylinders? Dirt and varnish in fuel system, dirty filters. weak fuel pump, spark not advancing, Misadjusted throttle cable.

Re: operating a mercury 2 cycle 60's era

That's a cool combination you have there Tim. There is a lot of interest in the old G3's where I come from....

Can you post a picture of it here?

Also...should we assume that you have basic knowledge regarding the care and feeding of one of those motors? Please feel free to ask bunches of question here if you ned to.

In particular...be sure that you understand the proper fuel/oil mixture required, the need for clean lower unit oil and proper water pump operation. Also; your engine has two carburetors; make sure that they are both clean....a lot of older engines are ruined by lubrication starvation from a clogged carb.

Pictures?????

Chuck

Re: operating a mercury 2 cycle 60's era

Dear Chuck and Jimbo,

Thanks for the nice responses. It really makes me feel OK about a dummy like me coming here for help.

No Chuck, I don't know anything about care, maintainence, or operating this motor beyond some simple basics. I know about the oil mixing, I know how to engage the choke and start the engine, I know how to shift gears and use the throttle. Beyond that I am totally new to this engine.

One possible thing that may have caused my problem was not opening the vent on the gas tank when I first tried the motor and could not get any speed in the forward gear. I haven't been able to try it again, but will do so in a few hours.

Before I get at the engine I will take and post some pictures of the g3 so you can see why I am so excited about my new boat.

Again, thanks for the warm welcome.

Tim

Re: operating a mercury 2 cycle 60's era

don't run the motor for too long until you are sure it's pumping water so it doesn't overheat, fresh gas mixed 50 to 1 with a good (quicksilver) 2 cycle outboard motor oil, check all the wires as they are prone to rotting. take the side cowling off and see if the throttle lever is moving the lever at the side of the motor

Re: operating a mercury 2 cycle 60's era

So Tim.....

When you say that it won't go forward.....do you mean that it stalls out when you give it throttle, or do you mean that the throttle lever won't move, or do you mean that the lever moves but the motor doesn't respond? What exactly is happening?

Remember...you are our eyes here on the forum.

BTW...your engine has a visual indicator that it is pumping cooling water through the block. It's called a "pee-hole" (technical term....) It should shoot out a pee-stream on the starboard side. Check for that. Very Important.

Send that pic...and ask more questions. You can also check out the classic glasspar forum at
http://forums.fiberglassics.com/g3/

Chuck

Re: operating a mercury 2 cycle 60's era

Are you sure a 60's Merc has a tell-tale (better technical term )? I don't know Mercs but I know the JohnnyRudes didn't get them till around '80.

Re: operating a mercury 2 cycle 60's era

Maybe not if the engine is actually that old...

We'll know better once we see those pictures

Chuck

Re: operating a mercury 2 cycle 60's era

My 63 10hp has a tell tale(pee hole). Remove the upper cowl and see if there is hose comming from the engine block to the lower cowl.
If you send Pics take a Pics of the engine with cover off, all four sides.
You will, have to replace the water impeller.
Have you checked you lower end gear lube?