1977 Merc 110 Outboard Issue

[BoatCzar]

Hope I`m in the right place for this question:

My father gave me this 1977 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) a few years ago. Has`nt been used in maybe 5 - 8 years, but it was always stored each year fully winterized and kept indoors. It looks in very good condition and I used to use it in my teens and twenties, it always ran perfectly. So now that I live near a lake in northeastern PA, I completely cleaned up the gas can, mounted the motor on a 14' Alum StarCraft rowboat, filled a 40 gal. barrel with water under it, and primed it up.

But when I pulled the starter cable, I got a relatively limp cord. It does retract good, but there is nothing turning the motor. Looked under the cowl and all looks like new. Made sure I was in neutral, and noticed the cable will only pull (to easily) in neutral. Forward and reverse, it does not pull at all.

I have the original owner`s and parts manual, but nothing is mentioned in there about such a issue. Figure, before I started fiddling with it, maybe someone might have an idea what`s wrong?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[BoatCzar]

Geez, I got my fingers under the 'Starter Sheave' (the piece the cable is wrapped around, and turned the flywheel under it until I felt some tension on the cable. Damn thing worked. It started up after a few pulls and seems to run fine. But, .................

I now notice no rooster tail. Just a few sprays of water a bit. I checked the hose going to the out port but it was ok. Other than the impeller, can anything else stop the flow of water?

 

[schematic]

check pump condition first. if its ok, check the engine base gaskets

 

[BoatCzar]

New to working on outboards, checking the pump is the same disassembly as inspecting the impeller?

 

[MTboatguy]

yes, you will have to drop the lower unit to check the impeller, not difficult to do at all, I would plan on just putting a new impeller in it.

 

[BoatCzar]

Yes, after inspection of the impeller, I noticed the drive shaft is off center of the impeller housing. Though all intact, my impeller`s fins were all half way flattened. I gotta try a marina tomorrow and see if I can purchase a OEM. Noticed too many 'Made In China' stuff on the net.

Is there a 'Best Way' to reinstall the lower end, as far as keeping the gear in neutral or other?

 

[MTboatguy]

Hell the OEM stuff is made in China these days, I would pick up a Sierra, if you can't find it at the Marina, they sell them here on Iboats in their store.

 

[racerone]

Driveshaft has to be off center in order for the pump to work.--Volume between vanes increases to pull water in and decreases to push water out.---Easy to observe once the new impeller is installed.

 

[BoatCzar]

After researching the web and uTube, I dropped the lower end and put a new impeller in along with some new plugs and changed the gear oil.

Filled the 40 gallon barrel again and fired it up. I have a stream now, but it is intermittent. Not a steady stream. Could this be normal/OK for idle?

I`m wondering if the exhaust bubbles is getting in the water intake while it`s in the barrel? Not getting a steady flow of water to the pump?

Any thoughts?

 

[BoatCzar]

Changed all of the rubber sealing grommets all in on the lower end plus the impeller was deformed and a new one installed. Noticed right away the grommets were considerably tighter. Fired it back up in the barrel and two seconds later a steady stream was pouring out now. Let idle for a few minutes constantly feeling the temp of the stream. Not scalding hot anymore, not even remotely warm. Actually cool, even cold. Gave it a bit more RPM`s and it pisses like a 20 year old bar hoping GI on leave! Surprisingly the temp stays cool after about five minutes!

I`m amazed what a difference circulated water went from about 60% flow and literally scalding hot flow, to 100% (I hope the old top end grommet is not loosing anything) flow and cool water!
If I ever buy a new/bigger motor, I will be sure to pay attention to the cooling water while it is running new. Then I`ll know of any changes, and first suspect pressure loss.

PEACE