Need some help fellas !!

[Donniemachwano]

So me and my grandfather have a project working on a 1982 40hp mercury outboard , we are using the ( if it’s not broken don’t fix it method) lol purchased a new battery new fuel tank and fuel lines going to try and start it but before I do what are some things I should check first , going to check the coils and see if they are getting spark to the wire , going to check the oil , fuel filter , spark plugs , is there anything I’m missing before trying to start it ?

 

[Scott Danforth]

first, simply check compression
second, the water pump should be attended to
third, 2-strokes dont need a battery to start, just to spin them

 

[Chris1956]

Fuel is premix 50::1 gasoline/oil. A motor that old probably doesn't have an oil injections system, so fuel must be mixed.

After you replace waterpump impeller, replace the gear oil, and grease the fittings for tilt and steering.

Use a flush device when you start it.

 

[Willyclay]

Welcome to the forum! The members here are great and should be able to help you and your GF get that old beauty going again. Checkout the link below in the FAQ's for more info. Wish one of my grandchildren would jump into that same swamp with me. Good luck!

Awakening a sleeping outboard; by BoatBuoy

I see a lot of posts from folks who have a motor that has been in storage, belonged to their dad or granddad, or for another reason. I recently went through most of these steps myself in preparing a motor which hadnt been used for 15 years. Following is an attempt to provide a concise list of...

forums.iboats.com

 

[mike_i]

All good information above. check compression, oil/fuel mix, water pump replacement. If possible I'd start it in a tank where the water level is higher than the water pump. Hope it's starts and runs well for you, let us know what happens.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi. Don’t waste too much time looking for the oil to check, haha. She will be a 2 stroke (as you’ll know) and pre mix, given her age.
If she hasn’t run for a while, I’d simply get some 2 stroke down each cylinder (through the plug hole), then turn her over by hand a few times over an hour or two. Then I’d drain any old fuel from the carb drains. Flush fresh fuel into the carbs and out the drains. Close them up. Clean the plugs and put them back in. Throw the choke on and some throttle on her…fire her up. If no joy, check for spark and/or new plugs (like you would do at some point anyway), then try again. If there is spark and no start, clean the carb and try again.
Of course, all of the above is with the assumption that there is compression present.

 

[airshot]

While a battery isn't necessary to start it, you might find using the electric starter much easier than pull starting a 40 hp !! If it has set for some time, that might take a lot of pulling !!

 

[Chris1956]

If you do want to start it without a battery, the charging system will likely get damaged. I would install a battery, to prevent that. The battery can be no good, but it's connection (and load on) the charging system will prevent damage.

 

[airshot]

If you do want to start it without a battery, the charging system will likely get damaged. I would install a battery, to prevent that. The battery can be no good, but it's connection (and load on) the charging system will prevent damage.

Good to know..