I was wondering if rebuilding a carb. is something easy enough for me to do. I am mechanically inclined and have a full assortment of tools as well as access to a fully stocked shop. I got the worked priced out an it, although a good price (250.00), is a little more than i have to spend. If i was to do it myself i would pay about 50.00 for the kit and cleaning supplies.

I have a 1967 Merc 500 50 HP outboard and when it runs it runs but I have problems losing the motor in low speeds, i.e. the carb is dirty and it isn't getting enough fuel. I was hoping any off you could give me a little advice. I can't trust my boat right now and I would love to actual fish in it sometime in the near future.

Thanks

Youll want the engine manual also. I looked at my carb without one and said... ha, im never getting this off.

Youll want the engine manual also. I looked at my carb without one and said... ha, im never getting this off.

Hmm... Good to know I'll add that to my shopping list.

I would like to suggest something before you go pulling the carb off.

 

Try running a mixture of either Startron or Seafoam through and see if it gets better, if it does then you know for sure it's in the fuel system and I would most likly run a couple of tanks of that mixture to see if it straightens out first before I would pull the carb off.

 

If it's not it could be the points or the timing, I have had a lot of key way issues with those engines, also I have had screws back out of the pick-up coil and rub the housing as well.

I would like to suggest something before you go pulling the carb off.

Try running a mixture of either Startron or Seafoam through and see if it gets better, if it does then you know for sure it's in the fuel system and I would most likly run a couple of tanks of that mixture to see if it straightens out first before I would pull the carb off.

If it's not it could be the points or the timing, I have had a lot of key way issues with those engines, also I have had screws back out of the pick-up coil and rub the housing as well.

I have ran seafoam through the motor as well as adjusting the jets. Seafoam, made it to where the motor will run fine at high speed and idle it just doesn't like to cycle up. Another important thing in this equation is that the engine sat for 5 years unused. With that information I deduced that the carbs need cleaned and rebuilt. Is this correct?

Most likly a good asumtion on your part, I would however continue to run that treatment in a stronger formula, if you do not have a carb vatt to soak the carb in you are not going to get a complete job, the Seafoam mixed stronger will eventually clean the carb and all of it's tiny little ports.

 

It's up to you but I would suggest to keep trying the mix.

There is an aerosol version of seafoam you can spray directly into the throat of the carb, i.e. undiluted.  IME, you'll need to clean the carb anyway, if for nothing else some peace of mind.

 

How much for a replacement carb?

There is an aerosol version of seafoam you can spray directly into the throat of the carb, i.e. undiluted. IME, you'll need to clean the carb anyway, if for nothing else some peace of mind.

How much for a replacement carb?

Can't find one. Price I found was 73.00 but they don't have it in stick and won't.

If you can get the carb off and dont really feel like dealing with it take it and the rebuild kit to a motorcycle shop and have them rebuild it. Theyll have a tank.