1972 Mercury 800 info

[boat noobie]

I just picked up my first boat, an 18' 1972 Starcraft aluminum boat with a 72? Mercury 800 80 HP, Direct 4 Charge, and Thunderbolt ignition outboard SN# 3189265 for $800 US. It seems to run great <br /><br />He says it is a 2-stroke and I need to mix oil in with the gas; what is the proper ratio for this motor?<br /><br />He says that he changed the oil in the lower unit 2 years ago; how often does this need to be done and how difficult is it?<br /><br />Are there any free manuals available online for this model?<br /><br />I would like to get her running as good as I can before taking her out so any advice on servicing the motor would be appreciated, I don't want to get stranded because something wasn't serviced

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1972 Mercury 800 info

50 to 1<br />Change gear lube ever fall and recheck in the spring before launch<br />I don't know about on line manuals

 

[boat noobie]

Re: 1972 Mercury 800 info

Any tutorials or instructions for changing the gear oil? I know it hasn't been done for awhile.<br /><br />Thanks for the help

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1972 Mercury 800 info

welcome to iboats. go to oldmercs.com and order a manual for your specific engine, this will be come your best friend. use the red 'search' function at the top of this page and for topic put in changing lower unit oil or gear oil. never use starting fluid on your engine, use premixed gas & oil in a spray or squeeze bottle. never turn your engine over without having a water source to the lower unit, barrel or muffs, not doing so can fry your water pump impeller, thus not cooling the engine. this is just for starters.

 

[boat noobie]

Re: 1972 Mercury 800 info

Thanks for the help <br /><br />The search function on this site is the best I've come across.