1976 mercury 1150 carb removal!!!

[Tduv]

so i am trying to clean my carbs out and replace gaskets. i took the top cowling off and the back plate that has the switchbox with all the wires. that did not give me good access so i took off the starter and was able to remove the float bowl tops as one unit. the issue i run into now is getting to the carb nuts, a socket on an extension does not seen to fit as the nuts are tight to the carb and using a wrench is difficult as well. i am trying not to remove the flywheel and the distributor if at all possible. Any suggestions from all you knowledgeable folks out there????

Thank you

 

[merc850]

A thin open end wrench will work and you can take off the distributor adapter too or work between it.

 

[Tduv]

that's what i was thinking. once again, thank you merc850!! They are 1/2 in nuts right?

 

[merc850]

Can't remember 7/16" or 1/2".

 

[Tduv]

One last question merc850. I only got the gasket kit with the new needle and floats. Do you recommend taking out the jets abd such to get them clean or can you effectively clean then while they are still in the carburetor?

 

[merc850]

I just remove the low speed needle and the brass plug that covers the high speed jet and use Mercury's Power Tune put the red tube into each jet hole and spray until the solvent comes out into the carb throat and fuel bowl.
You can also soak them in a carb cleaner that doesn't affect plastics.

 

[Chris1956]

There is a brass plug over the idle restricter tube (idle jet). It is on the top of the carb body. You might remove it and blast the idle jet.

 

[Tduv]

When resetting the levers on the float bowl cover. It says to take my measurement from the shoulder. Is that where the gasket sits or the flange right above it??

 

[merc850]

The area where the gasket is, this should make the lever level when held upside down.

 

[Tduv]

Thank you merc850. I have a diagram of the carbs that came with my gasket kit. It called for a gasket to go in with the idle needle and saw another diagram that does not have the gasket for the idle needle. I endured up putting a copper one as it was the only one that would fit. I know the copper gasket was not for the float needed as that is a separate kit. My question is do I need this gasket or should I open the plug up and pull the gasket as I installed it when putting the carbs back together. Does it even matter if it is or isn't in there? Thank you for all the help!!

 

[merc850]

This diagram doesn't show any gasket (from manual) so I'm not sure.

 

[Chris1956]

Some inlet needle seats need the copper gasket, some don't. Install one and see how high the seat sits. If it makes the float adjustment completely wonky, skip the gasket.

Normally you need a nail to pull the gasket out.

 

[Tduv]

Chris1956, I was asking about the idle needle in the carb

 

[Chris1956]

I never saw a gasket on the idle mixture needle. Not sure how that would even work....

 

[Tduv]

chris1956, thats what i thought.