My 1979-80 50 hp Merc runs fine, but when you put your ear right up to the cowling, it is rather noisy. Sounds like tappet noise on a car engine. Almost like diesel engine sounds. If I try to shake the flywheel, there is very little play there (Nothing too drastic). Is this noise normal for a 2 stroke, having no oil bath or hydraulic lifters or other things that keep car engines quiet ?<br />The noisiest area is where there is no blanket in the top of the cowl front and rear. From a distance it pretty much sounds like other Mercs.
