1968 Mercury 500 carb float?

[jboehm]

Can the float, needle, and seat be serviced without removing the carburetors? It appeared there might be access by removing the starter/solenoid and working from the side?

 

[GA_Boater]

Not easily. You may be able to get to the top float, but the the top carb is in the way to get to the bottom float.

Why do you want to get to the floats? Maybe a full rebuild is in order?

 

[jboehm]

The primer bulb won't get hard and the top carb is leaking fuel out of the air inlet. I suspect the float has an issue. I would pull the carbs but some of the wiring is so delicate i want to minimize moving it.

 

[GA_Boater]

If the wiring is that bad, maybe it should also be fixed. Been there, done that. It will be a continuing problem.

 

[ajgraz]

If you're going to all the trouble of replacing the carbs' innards, might as well fully remove them for a good total take-down and cleaning.

Also agreed, if you've got known janky wiring on the motor, fix that too!

 

[jboehm]

I plan to repair all of the issues if this motor proves to be worth my time. Since it wouldn't restart after I found the leak I am not sure if it may have developed another issue. Right now I need to repair the top carb and hopefully it will restart so I can properly test the water pump. Then I can test to see if it will run properly above idle. Once it passes those tests hopefully there won't be any water in the lower unit. Since I only have a couple of hours a month to work on it I have to make it count.

 

[jboehm]

Does carburetor service require removal of the distributor and/or starter or is it typically accessed by removing the front support?