Merc 2bbl carb overhaul

[Squab]

I have a 1989 Mercruiser with what I think is a Merc 2bbl Carb on it. I have just taken it off the boat and totally disassemble and cleaned. My question is if I can use regular automobile gaskets on the carb or do I need to go with marine gaskets?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Merc 2bbl carb overhaul

I have a 1989 Mercruiser with what I think is a Merc 2bbl Carb on it. I have just taken it off the boat and totally disassemble and cleaned. My question is if I can use regular automobile gaskets on the carb or do I need to go with marine gaskets?

Ayuh,... You need a Carb Kit, that fits That carb...
It'll have All the gaskets you need...

How'd you "Clean" it anyways,..??

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 2bbl carb overhaul

I have a 1989 Mercruiser

Is your Mercruiser a 4, 6, or 8 cylinder? If it's a Mercarb, there isn't an automotive carb like it.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Merc 2bbl carb overhaul

Gaskets....who cares wait and see if youve cleaned out all the small passages (violin wire ) ahh then there is float level...its such a wonderful little instrument

 

[Squab]

Re: Merc 2bbl carb overhaul

Bondo
I AH took it all apart and use carb cleaner to clean every little hole? Why do you ask?
Don- it is a V6. I will just get the gasket kit.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Merc 2bbl carb overhaul

Does it have two air idle mixture screws or one ? If 1 it's a mercarb. for what it's worth for 20 buc's you can get a can of carb dip and 35 buck's a good rebuild kit and do it right.

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 2bbl carb overhaul

Bondo
I AH took it all apart and use carb cleaner to clean every little hole? Why do you ask?

Very simple reason. There are a lot of DIYers that visit this site that think taking a carb apart and sloshing it around in a pan of gasoline with a old paint brush, then letting it air dry, is a proper cleaning. Then just putting in a rebuild kit should make it a perfect carb. The chances of success with that type of cleaning is very close to ZERO.
So if after "using carb cleaner and cleaning every hole", (which really doesn't mean much) doesn't work, don't be surprised.
Soaking carb parts in carb cleaner, then using compressed air to clean the passages, then verifying each and every passage is how it's done by real techs. Personally, I also use an Ultra sonic cleaner for final cleaning.
There is also a lot more to a carb overhaul kit than a few gaskets and sticking it all back together.
At best, rebuilding is a 50/50 chance of success.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Merc 2bbl carb overhaul

At best, rebuilding is a 50/50 chance of success.

Ayuh,.... Bingo,... We havea Winner....

 

[Squab]

Re: Merc 2bbl carb overhaul

Donny,
I hear you loud and clear. I totally took it apart and cleaned every little port and hole. Everything is crystal clear. I really took it apart to see if there was any varnish inside because the carb filter was totally littered with gunk however the inside of the carb was surprisingly ok. Thanks for the concern however I am not just a average DIYer.

On to the next issue.
Thanks

 

[reimelss]

Re: Merc 2bbl carb overhaul

Ayuh,.... Bingo,... We havea Winner....

Well thats demoralizing... im about to rebuild tonight

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Merc 2bbl carb overhaul

Dont let it be carbs are finicky even for a experienced carb man. If you read above the carb needs a good soak in a cleaning solvent. Followed by blowing out all of the passages with a high velocity air hose....Some take a very thin wire (violin) and clean again. There are more than a few carbs out there so you have to make sure you have the right rebuild kit...gaskets must match ...Then there is that wonderful float level.

Inspect your cleaning under high light be through like a surgeon...on assembly nothing sticks or binds....as to adjusting the float never tighten the air horn down hard until you have the set it up right...You dont want to smash the gaskets over and over .....be patient...and cross your fingers

 

[reimelss]

Re: Merc 2bbl carb overhaul

Dont let it be carbs are finicky even for a experienced carb man. If you read above the carb needs a good soak in a cleaning solvent. Followed by blowing out all of the passages with a high velocity air hose....Some take a very thin wire (violin) and clean again. There are more than a few carbs out there so you have to make sure you have the right rebuild kit...gaskets must match ...Then there is that wonderful float level.

Inspect your cleaning under high light be through like a surgeon...on assembly nothing sticks or binds....as to adjusting the float never tighten the air horn down hard until you have the set it up right...You dont want to smash the gaskets over and over .....be patient...and cross your fingers

thanks for the reassurance...
mechnically i am confident that i can get things done..the only part that makes me nervous is the crossing of the fingers part...its more like murphays law with me and boats rather than luck!

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Merc 2bbl carb overhaul

With everything said above as the best advise you ever gonna get, something else to add if your not in the possesion of a ultra sonic set up is to wash the carb pcs, in hot soapy water before and after the soak in carb cleaner got hat trick from Ziggy and it works grat and don't forget to blow it out thouroughly with compressed air. Good luck!