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1966 35hp Mercury
fred s	#1  Posted on 06/07/11 - 5:39 AM
Member Posts: 119 Comments: 1 Joined: 03/04/11	Starts with key, runs great. After an hours run I can shut it off for an hour and have to start it manually. I can run for another hour or so and it quits. When I try the key the battery sounds as if it is discharged. New battery, that shows fully charged. Two hours later it may start with the key. Any Suggestions? Thanks, Fred S
fred s	#2  Posted on 06/09/11 - 5:52 PM
Member Posts: 119 Comments: 1 Joined: 03/04/11	Come on some of you "wrench" guys. Help an old machinist that hasn't a clue about motors, but can build one!
Sax416	#3  Posted on 06/09/11 - 6:27 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 118 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/15/11	Sounds like the charging system is failing. The battery is strong enough to gain a recharge after resting. Unfortunately I don't know much about the charging systems on outboards. If it was a car I'd say your alternator was shot.
Tom W Clark	#4  Posted on 06/09/11 - 6:42 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	You have a 1966 35hp Mercury outboard that actually starts?! I am in awe.
Derwd24	#5  Posted on 06/09/11 - 8:01 PM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	Sounds like you might be getting heat build up at a bad connection. The hotter it gets, the more resistance it has. Start by disconnecting and cleaning the battery cables and the terminals at both the battery and engine. If you have wing nuts on your battery, swap them out for a regular nut and lock washer, and use a socket or box end to tighten everything down well. While you're doing that, look around for other connection points in the engine that may be suspect, loose, or corroded. Dave - 1983 Outrage 22
Joe Kriz	#6  Posted on 06/09/11 - 9:47 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	A couple more insights... 1. Many engines have an overheat shutdown and will not restart until it has cooled down. Is your motor overheating? Is your water pump working by viewing the telltale stream? 2. Do you know if your charging system is charging? Do you have a voltmeter onboard?
fred s	#7  Posted on 06/12/11 - 4:00 AM
Member Posts: 119 Comments: 1 Joined: 03/04/11	Thanks guys. Local mechanic is looking at it now. Boat (13' Sport) also 1966, had been in storage for 30 plus years. The fellow I bought it from said the motor probably had less than 50 hours on it. If appearances mean anything I am sure that is true. Inside the cowl is as clean as it can be. Hopefully it is a wiring thing. Thanks again.
Joe Kriz	#8  Posted on 06/12/11 - 10:50 AM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	If it's been sitting for 30 years you can almost guarantee it will need a new water pump.
fred s	#9  Posted on 06/12/11 - 11:07 AM
Member Posts: 119 Comments: 1 Joined: 03/04/11	Thanks Joe, another place to look! Fred