Hi Lloyd,

If you don't have luck on your own I actually took mine to highly
recommended boat mechanics for their particular brands(OMC and Merc) and had
them completely tuned and fully serviced. After that they ran well for years
and then I sold them.

I worked on motor cycles, outboards, lawn mowers, rotatillers, chain saws
and cars all my life but I don't seem to do it much any more.

I also know I will not have the knowledge these veteran outboard mechanics
have.

--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA, USA

Web site: www.kiene.com


"Lloyd Cimprich" wrote in message
...
I have a 1988 Mercury Classic 50 (45 hp) 4 cylinder outboard and I have
just
bought the Mercury Shop Manual for this unit. The manual is quite good but
as I am new to outboard mtc. I have a hew questions for the experts:

1. In my sailing days I had a 6hp Johnson which had a thermostat but I
cannot find where this is located on the Mercury. Does anyone know if this
unit has one and where it is located.

2. I would like to check the compression but am concerned about damaging
the
electronics. Is it required to disable the spark, if so how. Manual does
not
say.

3. How does one adjust the linkage between the upper/lower carb to be sure
they open in sync. Once again manual does not say.

4. How would I connect a tach and temp sensor. Is it possible? The local
marine store has a box full of used tachs and I would like to put one in
if
practical.

5. The engine runs rough but a quick pull off of the top carb indicated
improper float setting causing overflow on to bottom carb. I quickly did a
tweak and overflow has stopped but it idles rough so I assume I need to
pull
off fuel system, clean, adjust and re-try. Any suggestions, tips would be
appreciated.

Any other advice would be appreciated. I know some do not seem to be Merc
fans but I admit I like the look and it seems just to need some tinkering.
A
little like an MG, Triumph or other British sports car.

TIA