My carb is obsolete.. Please help me repair/replace!

[foste1cc]

I have a new-to-me Mercury 18hp 2cyl 2-stroke (I think a 1980'-1985') Serial N: 6414331
I bought this to use as a kicker for my 21' sterndrive, as it was only $200, and has electric start and a stator-rectifier system that was a requirement in my books.

I was told it sat for a few years, and it is pretty filthy, but was told it was running great when taken off the previous boat. So I'm currently in the process in of giving it a good cleaning/refurbishing. Already bought my water pump kit and new fuel filter, but now can't find a carb kit. After looking for a while, I read in a couple places that nothing is made for this carb anymore
The carb assembly is #:1384-8704A1
Carb Rebuild kit is #:1390-8676A13

I haven't taken it apart yet, but it HAS to be filthy, being with how bad the fuel filter and lines were. I believe there was one supplier that offered a kit, but it was over $100!!! Anyone know what my best bet is from saving this outboard as a giant paper weight? I always have liked rebuilding my carbs every 1-2 years for peace of mind. Am I screwed?? Are there any other carbs that I could replace this one with???

Thank you in advanced, everyone!

 

[matt167]

Boats dot net has it in stock part number 8153. I assume it’s probably pretty easy to get one if they have it. But if you want to. Any gaskets you might need can be made out of gasket paper pretty easily

 

[airshot]

In my opinion, nothing beats a good factory rebuild kit, thoroughly cleaned carb and reset to factory specs. Always worked well for me ! Chinese copy carbs were always a disaster and rarely worked.

 

[foste1cc]

Thanks. Ordered a kit from boats dot net for around ~$75 shipped :/ But I guess it's better than +$100 And also my own fault for not doing my research on this outboard before purchasing.. I'll just make sure to always run fresh gas w/ stabilizer and a quality 2-stroke oil, in hopes that I can refrain from another rebuild for a few years.
Thanks for the help!

 

[airshot]

If you do proper maintenance it will be a long time before another rebuild will be needed. Watch where you buy your fuel, often times the fuel you purchase has issues already. Busy fuel stations often get by without testing their fuel and replace the filters. Use a good stabilizer to keep fuel fresh. Be sure you have a good inline fuel filter but fore the fuel reaches the carbs. If you have the ability to run the carb dry...do that before letting it set for a long period of time. Best thing for any carbed engine is to run it frequently !
Motors that only get used a time or two thru the season are prone to more issues. Rebuilt my last carb 12 years back, no issues to this day.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Better yet put ethanol free gas in it when you get it running. It’s what I use on all my stuff , boat,mower, chain saws, blower, weed wacker, motorcycles etc. everything but my cars.

Find it near you here

Pure-gas.org - ethanol-free gasoline in the U.S. and Canada

Pure-gas.org is the definitive web site listing stations that sell pure gasoline in the U.S. and Canada.

www.pure-gas.org

 

[Chris1956]

Here is a carb repair kit with lots of extra stuff. Springs, jets and other stuff. the price is extra as well. BTW, Gasoline with alcohol keeps water out of the fuel and keeps carbs clean, unlike what the wives tales say.

https://www.mercurymarine.com/us/en/product/quicksilver-8237072-carburetor-repair-kit-for-select-mercury-2-stroke-10-25hp-outboards

 

[airshot]

Better yet put ethanol free gas in it when you get it running. It’s what I use on all my stuff , boat,mower, chain saws, blower, weed wacker, motorcycles etc. everything but my cars.

Find it near you here

Pure-gas.org - ethanol-free gasoline in the U.S. and Canada

Pure-gas.org is the definitive web site listing stations that sell pure gasoline in the U.S. and Canada.

www.pure-gas.org

Before E10 fuels came out, people still had carb gumming issues, that is the reason " Gumout" was invented way back in the 50-60's. Adding the alcohol caused that crud to come loose in the carbs and created many of the issues you hear about. It was Highly recommended that before switching to E10 fuels, the carbs were to be cleaned and all hoses were to be replaced with alcohol rated materials. Those that did that and monitored the quality of the fuels they bought, had no issues. Those that side stepped those recommendations had lots of issues. I have been using E fuels since they came out, followed the recomendations, and have never had an issue ! I have one privately run fueled station where I buy my fuel. When ever I buy fuel on the road, I add fuel conditioner as we never know what your getting.

 

[flyingscott]

Do you have the round carb? You need this kit and they are still available.

18-97355 - Carb Kit, Mercury 1399-8153​

 

[flyingscott]

Here is a carb repair kit with lots of extra stuff. Springs, jets and other stuff. the price is extra as well. BTW, Gasoline with alcohol keeps water out of the fuel and keeps carbs clean, unlike what the wives tales say.

https://www.mercurymarine.com/us/en/product/quicksilver-8237072-carburetor-repair-kit-for-select-mercury-2-stroke-10-25hp-outboards

That is for the newer style carb wont work on OPs.

 

[wn6ngp]

Just fyi, I have 2000 90hp elpto. I started off using gasohol. In about 2010 I started having problems. I cleaned the carbs and all was ok. Overtime I had the same problems so I would run seafoam or gummout and things were ok. In 2020 I started using no alcohol fuel. Never a problem since. Not only that some of that no alcohol fuel is over 3 years old and it runs like a top. I even siphon some out periodically for my weed eater and chain saw. So I am big believer in no ethanol fuel. It doesn't go bad. I don't run my carbs dry after every outing either. Just go no alcohol and don't look back. Its ok to store for years despite the warnings. I have a 36 gallon fiberglass tank.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Just fyi, I have 2000 90hp elpto. I started off using gasohol. In about 2010 I started having problems. I cleaned the carbs and all was ok. Overtime I had the same problems so I would run seafoam or gummout and things were ok. In 2020 I started using no alcohol fuel. Never a problem since. Not only that some of that no alcohol fuel is over 3 years old and it runs like a top. I even siphon some out periodically for my weed eater and chain saw. So I am big believer in no ethanol fuel. It doesn't go bad. I don't run my carbs dry after every outing either. Just go no alcohol and don't look back. Its ok to store for years despite the warnings. I have a 36 gallon fiberglass tank.

While I agree that non ethanol fuel is good stuff and I use it. I will say that it can certainly go bad. I can’t count how many motorcycles I’ve worked on that sat for a couple years that had bad regular gas.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee the first carb I saw clogged with varnish was in the fifty's. This was way before adding alcohol to gas was thought of. we also needed to add dry gas alcohol) to fuel tanks to absorb the water in winter. Today's fuel with alcohol eliminates a lot of that.

 

[racerone]

Run the carburetor empty when done.---A dry carburetor does not plug up.

 

[ejnichol]

IF you run 10% ethanol gas just watch the age of the gas in the tank, lines and carb.

I make sure I turn mine fuel over to fresh at least every six months which is never a problem as boating draws me like moth to flame.

 

[airshot]

IF you run 10% ethanol gas just watch the age of the gas in the tank, lines and carb.

I make sure I turn mine fuel over to fresh at least every six months which is never a problem as boating draws me like moth to flame.

Don't be afraid to add some fuel stabilizer to your fuel, it has worked for me for more years than I can remember. No clogged carbs for me since E fuels came out. Gotta do the maintenance or do the rebuilding....maintenance is much easier !