Mercury 9.8 has spark, won't start

[jeff_32]

I have a 1978 Mercury 9.8 that will not start. Has good spark, tried squirting gas/oil mixture in carb...nothing. Tried starting fluid in carb, nothing.

Is this a timing issue? How do I go about changing the timing.

 

[racerone]

Check the flywheel key.

 

[jeff_32]

Check the flywheel key.

I checked the flywheel key and it's fine. Any other suggestions?

 

[racerone]

How did it run for you last season?----What happened?

 

[jeff_32]

How did it run for you last season?----What happened?

It always started up easily. Until one day it didn't and noticed bad wires coming out of the switch box. I attempted to fix them but not enough good wire. Replaced the switch box. Now I get great spark but will not start period.

 

[merc850]

Are the plug wires on their correct plug?

 

[jeff_32]

Are the plug wires on their correct plug?

Yes I checked maxrules diagram.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Yes I checked maxrules diagram.

Compression check time.

 

[jeff_32]

Although I have spark, could the trigger be the problem by throwing off the timing?

 

[racerone]

Put a few drops of fuel into each cylinder.----Put plugs back in.----Pull it over.-----Should bark / roar like a mad dog or lion.----If not try reversing plug leads.-----I say it is a timing issue.-----But you state that flywheel key has been verified good.

 

[jeff_32]

Put a few drops of fuel into each cylinder.----Put plugs back in.----Pull it over.-----Should bark / roar like a mad dog or lion.----If not try reversing plug leads.-----I say it is a timing issue.-----But you state that flywheel key has been verified good.

I tried to put gas/oil mixture through the carb again, nothing. I tried ether again...I know shouldn't do this...still nothing not even a cough. Pulled the plugs and put gas/oil in each cylinder and it fired right up. Then I was able to start it the rest of the day with barely a crank of the starter. Could a reed valve been stuck?

Thanks to everyone for all the help.

 

[racerone]

There is more than one reed valve for each crankcase.----There are 4 reed valves for the top cyinder and 4 reed valves for the bottom cylinder.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

I tried to put gas/oil mixture through the carb again, nothing. I tried ether again...I know shouldn't do this...still nothing not even a cough. Pulled the plugs and put gas/oil in each cylinder and it fired right up. Then I was able to start it the rest of the day with barely a crank of the starter. Could a reed valve been stuck?

Thanks to everyone for all the help.

Whatever is was who cares....count your blessings!