Carburetor Rebuilds

[PerchGuy]

I recently bought a 1969 Mercury 650. The engine has good compression, but needs the carburetors rebuilt. I have an estimate for $300 for parts (rebuild kits) and 3 hours of labor @$85. Total = $555. Is this a reasonable estimate or should I look elsewhere? Thanks for any advice, I am new at all of this.

 

[mnRIVERrat]

Re: Carburetor Rebuilds

Carb kits generally only run 30-40 bucks a piece. The 3 hours of labor is probably about right tho. Many shops buy the same carb kits you could and then double the price. If you're mechanically inclined, carb kits are pretty easy to install and rebuild, getting the carbs off the engine is the biggest pain in the whole deal. Call your shop and ask if you provide the carb kits if they will do it for the $255 in labor, and buy the carb kits online.

 

[PerchGuy]

Re: Carburetor Rebuilds

@mnRiverrat, thanks for the reply. Now I am questioning his estimate to to put new seals in the lower unit - @ $450 including parts. Is that excessive? If I can find a kit, is this something I can also do myself? I should mention that my partner in this venture teaches auto mechanics at a career center. He is a really good auto technician, but he has never worked on boat motors. Do these jobs require any special tools that we may not have access to.

 

[PerchGuy]

Re: Carburetor Rebuilds

Anyone else want to weigh in on this?

 

[kmarine]

Re: Carburetor Rebuilds

If your friend can rebuild a automobile carb, then these should be a snap. I rebuild tons of carbs on all kinds of engines. The main thing is to soak odd the gunk. Intsall new gaskets, and needles. I recomend counting the number of 1/4 turns in on the neede screws and writing them down for a refference point. Often the time is spent on tuning more than rebuilding.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Carburetor Rebuilds

Carbs are certainly a DIY type of job for anyone with a little mechanical ability. No special tools required but a service manual will come in handy when it comes time to set the float levels etc. This is a crucial setting. The parts price you were quoted is way out of line.

As for resealing the LU, that is a much more involved job if you intend to replace all the seals. That being said, there is no reason to replace all the seals. A simple pressure test of the lower unit will reveal the leaking seal, and only that seal needs to be replaced. Depending on which seal is leaking you may or may not require special tooling.

Being that this motor is new to you, I would recommend that you replace the waterpump impeller at the very least. Once the pump assy is taken apart you may find that other components will need to be replaced as well.

 

[PerchGuy]

Re: Carburetor Rebuilds

Can you tell me which special tool(s) I might need and where I might purchase it/them?

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Carburetor Rebuilds

First thing to buy is an OEM MERC MANUAL. Carbs are DIY. Lowerend?? But doable with manual.
1000 bucks for all those repairs? Not to rain on your parade, that motor is not worth that much. in great shape.
The first thing I would do is drop the lower unit. carbon steel drive shaft. rust/ pitted or grooved at the impellar seal.
Good luck Bud.
Any questions?

 

[PerchGuy]

Re: Carburetor Rebuilds

Thanks to everyone for the information and advice. I decided to let the marine mechanic do the lower unit for no more than $450. My friend and I are going to tackle the carburetor rebuilds. You guys were a great help!