New boat owner - 1974 SRV 220

[Timg71]

I picked this up from a friend last year and just seems like it’s needing more maintenance than I was expecting. I am pretty sure I can do most of it and am pretty mechanically inclined. Just need some help understanding some of how the previous owner mods might be affecting how this is running.

Previous owner added 4bbl Carter 9641s carb and electric ignition. The gear engagement was spot on the first few hours of use but after about 20, when engaging forward or reverse, the motor dies more than it stays running. I can usually get it to engage but have to really push past with a lot more throttle than I’d like.

I haven’t found any manuals online yet to help me diagnose the problem or tune the mechanism in, so if there’s any help out there I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[Espos4]

Is there some sort of ignition cutoff switch mounted to the shift mechanism?

Newer alpha drives momentarily interrupt the ignition spark to facilitate shifting gears.

Not sure what type of setup you have but maybe there is something similar in that classic of yours.

 

[LiquidWrench]

Probably the lower shift cable sticking causing the interupter switch to kick in. Pretty common problem. Need to pull the drive and bell housing to replace it. Good time to replace the bellows while your in there.

 

[Timg71]

Probably the lower shift cable sticking causing the interupter switch to kick in. Pretty common problem. Need to pull the drive and bell housing to replace it. Good time to replace the bellows while your in there.

Thanks Liquidwrench.
Guessing this isn’t a small chore. I just got the Clymer manual but it looks pretty useless.. the online sites that I have found that reportedly host manuals all seem to be defunct or scams. Any help in the direction for drive info would be greatly appreciated. Hate to start into this withou some guidance and instructions.

 

[JimG]

Some reading for you:
http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/220-srv-forum.81731/

Good luck and welcome to CSR!

 

[techmitch]

Here's a couple:

http://www.mercstuff.com/

https://www.sterndrives.com/mercruiserhelp.html

 

[techmitch]

Thanks Liquidwrench.
Guessing this isn’t a small chore. I just got the Clymer manual but it looks pretty useless.. the online sites that I have found that reportedly host manuals all seem to be defunct or scams. Any help in the direction for drive info would be greatly appreciated. Hate to start into this withou some guidance and instructions.

https://www.sterndrives.com/mercruiserhelp.html

http://www.mercstuff.com/