Re: Mercury Ignition timing troubles
I felt I had to report to you the successful results after my experimentation since you have been so helpful and kind to me..<br />I had replaced the rectifier, stator, switch box, coil, carburator kits, distributor brush and spring, tested the wires for continuity and spark.<br />First, I took out the spark plug wires, connected the ohmn meter, and jiggle the ends; guess what, some ends had became unsoldered where they attached to the threaded fitting.. I took the chance to resolder them; at 18 bucks a wire, had to try something..<br />It took a battery to go down, and still did not fire.<br />Then I rechecked the carburators for float adjustment, and for cleanliness of passages, set needles at 1 1/2 turns.<br />Checked fuel pump for flow while cranking, opened the carburator drain plugs, and I had flow thru the carbs.<br />Recharged battery.<br />Today, still did not fire, although all settings appeared correct.<br />Then I remembered that the last registration sticker on the boat was in 1999.<br />Something else had to be wrong.<br />As a last resort before I ditched the entire project, and thinking that I did not have a single SARDINE or MINOW to show for after all this months of sporadic grief, I stopped by the local auto parts store and got Carburator cleaner and starter fluid.<br />I tried the starter fluid using a couple of shots on each carb. intake, to no avail.<br />It appeared that the fuel was not getting to the spark plugs, since when I cleaned them and after a few cranks, there was no sign of carbon traces.<br />Theeen, I proceeded to squirt crburator cleaner deep into the carbs throats without mercy.<br />After a few cranks and taking the chance of burning the starter, IT SHOWED signs of gaining some spiritual strenght. What a relief !!! It appeared as it was firing the cleaner, or maybe some passages to combustion chamber had opened.<br />I tried a few more times, and after one hour of this, allowing sometime for the starter to cool down, IT CAME TO LIFE !!!!<br />The engine was firing and running at iddle smooth as a purring Largemouth Bass !!<br />I have not taken one of this engines apart yet.<br />Does anyone know the causes of this mistery ?<br />Your answer may help someone to try something new.<br />God bless; Thanks again for your patience.<br />Happy Memorial fish weekend I will catch one in your name.
