1977 mercury boat 35hp engine will not start?

Question

buying a boat and the man said it stoped and would not start again going to try saturday need help

Answer 1

Fuel

Fire

Timing

Get those right, it will work!

It could be one of many things. Might have a sheared flywheel key, bad carb, bad ignition wires, points, etc.

Answer 2

Dear Fastring,

My best guess is the points.  An outboard that age

probably has points like an old car had.  When they

burn and stick, it quits all at once.  They need replaced

or filed.   Either way you must remove the flywheel.  you

need a wheel puller for that.  Some flywheels have bolt

threads near the shaft, others need a "hook"on the puller

to fit the edges .  One way to test is remove the spark plugs

and crank the engine.  Hook up the spark plugs to the

plug wires and ground to the engine.  If they spark, it is

probably something else.  Two cycle engines have a valve

going into the crank case,  Is it in place, broken, bent etc?

squirt a little raw gas into the spark plug holes and replace

the plugs---then crank the engine.  Does it pop or bang?

If so it may be the carb or that valve.  If not, it is electrical.

Thirty five horse, it probably has two cylinders , two spark

plugs, etc.  You should by new plugs right off the bat, the

old ones are probably fouled.   If this looks like it may

take some time to re pare , you might buy an electric

trolling motor so that you can enjoy the boat anyway.  The electric motor will be about two hundred bucks.

Good Skill with your project,                       Logan