50 Merc won't start

Cecil-Indiana

Cecil-Indiana

Member
Help, it acts like it wants to start but stumbles. It has 2 Holley 94s, the dual point Mallory dist. was set by Bubba and I set the timing. Also checked each spark plug and am getting fire on all of them. Suggestions would be appreciated.
Only 5000 miles on a rebuild but haven't been run in 2 yrs.
 
Not sure if you are still running six volts but I had to use a 12 volt battery for the initial startup after a 35 year "rest" on my 52. The slow cranking old six volt is ok when everything else is working but it needed a lot more cranking speed to get mine going. I only ran the 12 volts through the solenoid and starter leaving the six volt connected to the electrical and ignition system.
 
Maybe you have done this: Re-check the plug wires for correct firing order. Recheck your initial timing and mark the position. Move the timing a little each way and see if it has any effect.

Getting fuel? Spray carb cleaner down the carbs, crank over.

It takes fuel, compression, and correctly timed ignition to run. If the other s fail, check compression. I doubt compression is the issue, though.
 
Disconnect fuel line at carb and see if fuel pump is pumping gas. If there's no gas check each component from the gas tank forward,including the tank. The tank is probably rusted and "junk" is plugging up the tank outlet.
If fuel pump is pumping you might have a stuck float.
When you accuate the accelerator pumps do you see gas squirting out of the jets in the carbs?
Carbs may need to be cleaned and rebuilt after 2 years of sitting.
 
Tank is stainless. Haven't looked in carbs but did spray starter fluid and it still didn't fire. I'm wondering if my coil has gone bad. I get fire but I'm wondering if it is hot enough.
 
Cecil-Indiana said:
Tank is stainless. Haven't looked in carbs but did spray starter fluid and it still didn't fire. I'm wondering if my coil has gone bad. I get fire but I'm wondering if it is hot enough.
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You should get a nice blue spark that will jump at least 1/4".

Bob
 
You might try cleaning the points ,if you haven't already done so. They will develop a film that can contribute to a weak spark. Good luck!
 
Any car that hasn't been run in 2 years probably needs the carbs cleaned and fuel lines flushed. Today's gas goes bad quick and you gotta get that nasty stuff out.
 
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