78 ish merc 1150 hard to crank over

[Murky115]

Hi all i have a 78 ish tower of power 1150 . This motor has been very good to me over the years even coming back after sinking . The problem i have now is that the motor is hard to turn over . Now for simplicity lets just work around starter and electronic issues and say i am pull starting it. Now ive had to pull start every motor i have ever owned at least once in a while . This motor used to be very easy to pull compared to say a johnson v4 crossflow of the same hp .now not so much the case . It sat all last summer as i was waiting for parts then i got her fired up ran her around for a few hours in the fall ran great. Parked it and just went back .it is harder then i think it should be to pull over to the point that i dont think i could get it to spin fastenough to start even with the plugs out it is not effortless .is there a decompression valve on these motors ? Is this just the results of gumy stuff in there ? It was harder then usual last fall also but i think its a little worse now . Thank you
Murky..

 

[racerone]

No decompression of any kind on it.--------Drain oil from lower unit and check for water.----Remove lower unit and see if it is easier to pull over.

 

[Murky115]

Would that matter in neutral?

 

[Murky115]

My main concern would be if that were not the case wasteing money to put it back togther also i have never pulled the lower unit on a merc ...i will prolly have to this summer to change the water pump but im not so ready as of now..

 

[racerone]

????------In nuetral the gears and bearings are all turning !!

 

[Murky115]

Ok ok no need to shout

 

[Murky115]

How hard is it to pull the lower unit on this engine

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Do a voltage drop test on the battery cables. They can corrode inside of the lugs where you can't see it and cause that problem. Make sure all connections are clean and tight.

 

[CharlieB]

By 'all connections' Barnacle Bill means BOTH ends of both battery cables AND the starter cable from the relay.

 

[Murky115]

Haaa thats what i am commonly referred to as barnacle bill funny long story happend before i ever heard of the song or the real person

 

[Murky115]

Anyway thats excatly why i said assume im pull starting it ..... i replaced both battery cables before i tried to start it ....they needed it badd too many wire nuts

 

[Murky115]

Well admiral I've decided to educate myself on the workings of the lower unit . And i looked into removal of the lower unit look like a cake job i really really like the fact that i dont have to monkey with any linkages like the same era v4s . So i did not get the chance to pull it after work tonight ... it was soon to be dark and i work on things by my self in the bushes . Am i too assume you think it could be a sticky bearing around the driveshaft or perhaps some foreign matter in the water pump. Would kinda make sense because it was not pumping the same at it was at idle pumped fine at just above idle no good at any higher rpms pumped fine ..... a section of impeller has broken off and is wedged in the impeller impedeing the ease of rotation and hindering the pumps capability ? My guess at this point .

 

[Murky115]

@ racerone ...i should specify diddnt expect a run of admirals this early in the season

 

[Murky115]

Ok i have gotten the lower unit off it seems like its no easier to turn over heres some pics oh also there was a little milky ness to the lower unit oil hasnt been changed in like a decade here are pics for any that would like to see the parts of a old merc water pump

 

[Murky115]

No Title

 

[Murky115]

Idk maybe its just me and i diddnt eat my wheaties that morning with all plugs out it turns pretty easy .....

 

[Murky115]

Having a heck of a time getting this lower unit back on get it 90% of the way then thud

 

[GA_Boater]

Murky - You should look through both of these threads

Not a Mercury, but it still applies. Post #12 has the fix - http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engin...stiff-flywheel

This for Mercs - http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engin...t-back-on-help

 

[Chris1956]

It is gonna be hard to install that gearcase, because the water pipe is not supposed to come out with the gearcase. Titl the motor up and get a strong flashlight. Try to install the water tube into the midsection. It fits in a rubber seal so lube it a bit and try to twist it back in. Best of luck with it.

BTW - that waterpump cover is real old, or at least it looks it. You are sure the bearings are OK? I would change the pump base, so you will a new good seal for the driveshaft.

 

[Murky115]

@ ga boater as per the first link i did pour oil and some break fluid into the cylinders before i made this post as per second post i got it back togther with a little wiggleing .. i plan on doing the water pump soonish but gotta get her running first