Mercarb help please

Chuckles88

Seaman
Joined
Aug 28, 2018
Messages
51
Just got done rebuilding a 2bl mercarb and fired it up. The fast idle screw binds up the choke plate. I’m sure it’s something silly. When I adjust the screw to where I need it as far as idle, it won’t allow the choke plate to move. Thanks
 

Grub54891

Admiral
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Jun 17, 2012
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6,078
HHmmm.. I'm not sure on that one. Sounds like the linkage was assembled wrong. Can you get a pic of the linkages, and carb for reference?
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
When I adjust the screw to where I need it as far as idle, it won’t allow the choke plate to move.

It's working as designed. The idle speed screw stops the cam moving when you're in the idle position. That will stop the choke plate moving. That's why you need to 'single stroke' the throttle in the morning to set the choke.

Chris.......
 

Chuckles88

Seaman
Joined
Aug 28, 2018
Messages
51
Should the fast idle lightly touch the cam? To get my correct idle and to have it run it has to be screwed pretty hard into it.
 

Grub54891

Admiral
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Jun 17, 2012
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Hhmm. I looked up a 2bbl carb, Linkage appears to be the same, Maby the angle of the pic, This one looks higher on the linkage. Have you tried opening the throttle a tad and see if the choke plate moves? Or is the choke spring binding it up?
Edit, I have to agree with Achris,
Image result for 2 bbl mercarb linkage pic
I thought this was the case, moving the throttle frees it up.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Marine engine... No fast idle. Do you mean the 'idle speed screw'?

Disconnect the throttle cable while doing idle adjustments. When you're happy with it, adjust the cable to suit the position of the throttle lever, and refit the cable.

Chris.....
 

Chuckles88

Seaman
Joined
Aug 28, 2018
Messages
51
Yes the idle speed screw. Mikes carbs calls it fast idle. As long as the cam is supposed to bind up in neutral I believe I’m good after a cable adjust. Much thanks
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
...Mikes carbs calls it fast idle. ...

Most of Mikes clients are for cars. And on cars, they do have a fast idle cam. 'Fast idle' on a boat would have people destroying drives in very short order!

Not too sure why a rebuild would cause a linkage adjust but if it needs it...

If the carb was dirty, the idle screw may have been in a little more to make up for the low fuel flow. You have a nice clean carb now and it'll need less of the throttle open to idle correctly. Yes, a cable adjustment is called for.. Any adjustment to the carb requires it..

Why are you making this difficult?

Chris....
 
Last edited:

Chuckles88

Seaman
Joined
Aug 28, 2018
Messages
51
Haha that is precisely what my wife said. I guess I like to know why more than most. Thanks again Chris. You have answered a lot!
 
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