62 merc 850 6cyl

[Caleb Prescott]

Hey all I've recently (last year) purchased a boat with a merc 850 on it. Now I had it in the water and it was running OK not as good as it could but it was OK. Then it started dying on me. I noticed the fuel lines were cracked and the filter was dirty as all hell so I got it out did new lines filter and plugs and wires. Now it won't shift into gear without dying. And it hardly seemesto want to idle I've ordered like 3 books that say they cover this motor but they are the 850 4cyl so I have no clue what to do here. I tried to make sure I pit the wires back in the same order and it's the order on the cap 123456 is that correct?? What about the coils there's two, any clue which one goes to the center of the cap and which one goes to the side? Does it matter? What about the dying issue when shifted? Also the key doesn't shut the thing off?? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[racerone]

?---Just follow the wires to see which coil goes where.------The carburetors / fuel pumps / hoses need attention.----Take bottom half of distributor off for cleaning setting the 2 sets of breaker points.----Needs a new water pump impeller too.----Few shops will work on that so the pre 1965 Mercury manual is what you need.

 

[Caleb Prescott]

I did that but I also replaced those wires and while I'm confident that I put them back where they where I'd like to be sure. I've tried to find the book and now have three that don't match my motor. I'm going to inspect the points today. I'm pretty sure my water pump is working fine. If you know where I can get a digital manual that would be awesome

 

[racerone]

If you do not know how old the impeller is you need a new one.------This motor will run till it goes -----Poooofff----- on overheat.

 

[merc850]

This might help you until you get a manual, the proper firing order should be on the back cover where the spark plugs are.