I have a 1964 35HP Mecury O/B that wont start. Two days ago it was
runnig fairly well. yesterday it was difficult to start and would not
run smooth or stafy running. After some investigation I found that
there was a spark only on one of the two cylinders. I remove the
flywheen, and cleand and filed the points. After reassembly there is a
good sprak on both. Now I can't start the enging anymore, there is fules
going into the cylindars, and it has good spark and good compression
(135lbs).

The flywheel has a center hub thingy, and the part with the magnets, we
took thos apart so we could get a good puller on to pop it lose. I
didn;t see any markings showing how it was supposed to line back up, so
I assumed it doesn't matter. Could this be the reason it won't start?
If so how can I get it aligned correctly again?

-Dan

Hi Dan,

I think you need to find a good outboard mechanic that has grey hair and
will work on older Mercury motors.

I was told by a local boat shop (that does have a long standing 40+ year
reputation for fixing motors right) that they will not work on Mercurys over
20 years old. They are swamped with service and these old motors are just a
liability for them. If they even touch those old motors then the customer
wants them to stand behind their work. It is just smarter to stay away from
trouble in the real world. They said they are not even able to get parts for
these motors either.

Your is 40 years old???

Smithsonian Maritime Museum?


Bill Kiene


"Dan" wrote in message news:4bK9c.38127$QO2.34050@pd7tw1no...

I have a 1964 35HP Mecury O/B that wont start. Two days ago it was
runnig fairly well. yesterday it was difficult to start and would not
run smooth or stafy running. After some investigation I found that
there was a spark only on one of the two cylinders. I remove the
flywheen, and cleand and filed the points. After reassembly there is a
good sprak on both. Now I can't start the enging anymore, there is fules
going into the cylindars, and it has good spark and good compression
(135lbs).

The flywheel has a center hub thingy, and the part with the magnets, we
took thos apart so we could get a good puller on to pop it lose. I
didn;t see any markings showing how it was supposed to line back up, so
I assumed it doesn't matter. Could this be the reason it won't start?
If so how can I get it aligned correctly again?

-Dan

Dan wrote:

I have a 1964 35HP Mecury O/B that wont start. Two days ago it was
runnig fairly well. yesterday it was difficult to start and would not
run smooth or stafy running. After some investigation I found that
there was a spark only on one of the two cylinders. I remove the
flywheen, and cleand and filed the points. After reassembly there is a
good sprak on both. Now I can't start the enging anymore, there is fules
going into the cylindars, and it has good spark and good compression
(135lbs).

The flywheel has a center hub thingy, and the part with the magnets, we
took thos apart so we could get a good puller on to pop it lose. I
didn;t see any markings showing how it was supposed to line back up, so
I assumed it doesn't matter. Could this be the reason it won't start?
If so how can I get it aligned correctly again?

-Dan

Replace the points and condensers with Mercury parts (2 ea. of 398-2202
& 398-2203, respectively) as filing is a temporary fix in a marine
environment. In a pinch, use the Sierra 18-5008 tune-up kit which
contains all the parts.

You are describing a two-piece flywheel? This I'm not familiar with...
the magnets should never be seperated from the keyed hub... this is a
factory pressed assembly because with a magneto ignition the placement
of the magnets is critical for timing and balance. The flywheel is
pulled using a steering wheel type puller, never a jaws type, and the
flywheel is timed to the crankshaft by the shaft key.

I would try to get another flywheel (used, of course) at this point, and
use the proper puller. There is now no way now to reseat the magnets
with the proper timing, and the engine could be very dangerous now if
out of balance. The flywheel should be torqued to 75-80 ft. lbs.

Rob