Slowly making forward progress lol

[Willburrrr2003]

Good Morning everyone, I hope you and your boats are doing well! I have been trying to get out and work on our boat, but life keeps throwing curve balls lol. However I got a major step forward on Monday evening. Was talking sailboats to a friend of mine I was doing some work with, and mentioned I still need to look for an outboard motor. He doesn't even look u from his work and says, there's one in the back corner by the bay door, I don't use it go ahead and throw it in your car you can have it.

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So I loaded up a Mercury 4.5 hp longshaft, as he told me it ran good last time he used it, but throttle stuck now and then. Will pick up a fuel tank and test it hopefully this weekend. It needs cleaned a little bit but looks to be in great shape. other than making sure it pees water good, anything else I should check?

Regards,

Will Riddle

[NiceAft]

Serendipity is marvelous, is it not

[Willburrrr2003]

Serendipity is marvelous, is it not

Indeed it is!

[Russ]

Nice haul.

If you find it is working and usable, I would do a complete tune up. Change oil, impeller, and clean carbs. lubricate linkages etc.

Should work well for what you need.

[OverEasy]

Ditto what Russ suggested!
Congratulations!

Simple stuff like a tune up, spark plugs, a new impeller along with the powerhead and lower unit oil changes are a big step in ensuring an engine is gonna perform when you need it.

Open the cowling and see what you’ve got.
A good blow off with some compressed air should clear out the dust and cobwebs.
If something’s been sitting for a while I also would take a careful look at any wiring and ignition leads.
Critters like to nibble on the insulation and aging can cause it dry-out.
A little quality silicone spray can help make the wiring more water/moisture resistant.

What a nice gift!
Definitely rates a six pack or a good bottle to share next time you meet up!

[Willburrrr2003]

@Russ
@OverEasy

Thanks for the great advice guys, I will definitely give it a good going through! I was given a gas tank yesterday with hose. However it doesn't have the right end on it to hook to the Mercury motor. I found the correct end on Amazon and will order one to swap out the hose end. The bulb on the hose that came with the tank is a bit stiff but seems to work, should I just go ahead and get a new hose that has a new bulb on it? What is a good way to tell if this outboard is 2 or 4 stroke? All the videos I find on youtube for a Mercury 4.5hp are 2 strokes. This engine should be to complicated it is only a single cylinder. I agree 100% with lubricating all the linkages as things felt a bit stiff, was finally able to get the shift lever to move so it can go to neutral for starting. is there a trick i am missing for the shifting? The reason he pulled the motor and replaced it was he was having some sticking of the throttle, it wouldn't come back down sometimes. So will definitely go through the carb on it. I see online that the repair manual is only about $49 so will grab one so I can do things right. I hung it on the transom bracket last night to try it on for size lol, and it looks great on the boat! I will post a pic or two later

Regards,

Will Riddle

[Jimmyt]

You can test it with the old line and bulb. But, if it runs good, I’d replace the line and bulb before taking the boat out. Once the line and bulb start getting stiff, I replace them.

Is that a 2-stroke motor? Looks like it might be. Make sure you have the correct fuel/oil mix if it is.

Good news is, you don’t have to change the crank case oil if it’s a 2-stroke.

[Russ]

I would buy or make a new fuel line with a new bulb. This is the most common area of failure and one of the cheapest maintenance items.
What I did was buy a good quality fuel line, a primer bulb and proper connectors (motor and fuel tank) and made my own fuel line. I have an extra as a spare handy.

I bought an Amazon fuel line and bulb set that disintegrated on me. I'm lucky it didn't ingest that garbage into my motor. I changed the fuel filter anyway after that.






I would bet money it's a 2 stroke else it would brag that it's a 4 stroke motor. Which means your fuel is important. ALWAYS buy ethanol-free gas which is usually also Premium grade. Mix the oil correctly as not to foul the plug.

These motors seem to eat spark plugs faster than I would expect. Replacing that would be on my list.

I bet there is tons of information on that motor online.

[beechkingd]

It was said above, but make sure you replace the water pump impeller. If it's been sitting for a while or it's just old, it could and likely will fail within minutes of operation.

[OverEasy]

Hi Willburrr2003!

Hope all goes well with your ‘new to you’ engine.
Given the age and pretty much unknown maintenance legacy might I suggest that you might want to check the cooling passage anodes (if it has them … some older engines do and some don’t ). Over time, even in fresh water, the anodes will react and degrade (which is their one job in life) but also may ‘swell’ with corrosion deposits that can block cooling passages restricting the cooling water from adequately reaching where it needs to get to.

If the access bolts/plugs are corroded I find that applying a couple soakings with WD40 or 3-in-1 Oil for a couple of times (even over night) before even touching them works wonders. A mild amount of heat such as from a heat gun before and after applications of the WD40 or 3-in-1 Oil is also beneficial in loosening things up. As you know patience is your friend when it comes to working on old stuff

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Willburrrr2003]

Good Day Everyone!

Finally feeling a bit more myself after my long hospital stay, and with that and having more energy I am ready to move forward on boat stuff! I ordered and received the correct fuel line fitting to connect to the Mercury fitting on the engine. I am holding off however on filling the tank and trying the engine yet. Changing the impeller is great advice, and since i have no idea how long this engine has been sitting (many many years I suspect, knowing my friend lol) best done before playing with it. I was having a very low energy day today and stayed home from work as still not trying to push myself to much. since home I am going out in a little bit and having my future son in law do all the lifting and such, will pull the lower section off and measure the shaft so I know which of the two impellers made for my engine fit it. It seems Mercury swapped shaft sizes back and fourth during a few years and mine is one that could be either size. Once I identify the shaft size, I will order a new impeller and have it in hand before the weekend if all goes well. This is my first outboard, and I am enjoying figuring it out. I'll try and get a few pics while we are working

Regards,

Will

[OverEasy]

Hi Wilburrrr2003!

Hey! What’s wit dat hospitality stuff?!?!
Glad yer out and feeling better!
Take you’re time and heal up !!!

Summertime is just a bit down the road and you’ve got a little time…

Keep us posted on your progress… on all fronts!

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Willburrrr2003]

Hi Wilburrrr2003!

Hey! What’s wit dat hospitality stuff?!?!
Glad yer out and feeling better!
Take you’re time and heal up !!!

Summertime is just a bit down the road and you’ve got a little time…

Keep us posted on your progress… on all fronts!

Best Regards
Over Easy

Overeasy, Almost died due to Diabetic ketoacidosis and nasty infection in crease of groin/hip area that caused me to spent all of December and 1st week of January in hospital, had 15 surgeries during that time. Had infection that had gone septic, and it turned out to be that nasty flesh eating infection. They told my wife it had a good chance of killing me, and if it didn't then I would most likely loose my leg and right testicle. I am not dead lol, and have my leg and testicle. I am back to work full duty and full time, but the wound from the surgeries will be healing for some time. Hoping to get my boat in water at local lake for a shake down test in next few weeks. Still taking things easy, but trying to set my self up for small project wins as that's good for personal Moral!

Regards,

Will

[OverEasy]

Hi Wilburrrr!

Whoa! That was a serious bit of bother there!!!!!
Glad you made it through that storm!
Sheeze!
That’s not the way I’d choose to end the year with!
It was bad enough as it was but heck! No, double heck!
That was some serious stuff to contend with fer sure!
Glad you made it relatively intact for 2026!

I live by the adage that everything changes in a heartbeat!
Enjoy every one you get!

Good plan for the coming Spring!
Yes! Get out on the water and enjoy being on your boat!
You’ve earned it!

Hoping you heal up without any further delay!

Best Regards,
Over Easy