What to expect Mercury 110 9.8

Still waiting to get from shop got a 1977 Mercury 110 9.8 I’m getting a carb kit when they started it up for me it had water in the gas and died pretty quick, started fast but has sat a couple months getting water pump replaced also. Did A little research sounds like there a pretty reliable motor would this be true or should I be looking for something as soon as possible. I got it as a package deal and it has good compression. Just want something I won’t play row row your boat.

I grew up with that motor, and my Dad had it until last year. Other than being a little cold blooded, it was great for us.

Very good motors, Merc knew they had a good design and stuck with it for the 9.8 motors. My father had a 63 motor that was almost identical to my uncle’s 1983 except that the ignition system went to solid state / CD sometime in the mid 1970s.

If compression is good, that motor is as bullet proof as they come.

Ralph correctly mentions that Mercs could be cold blooded on initial start and that is absolutely correct. Sometimes a specific priming sequence helps tremendously. My father’s requied you to pump the ball rock hard. Not just half a55 phone it in, but pump ‘er up to 150 PSI. The she’d fire in one pull. Likely not always the case but it pays to try different sequences and sometimes finding the right combination of choke/prime/pull will help.

Grouse

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

Ralph correctly mentions that Mercs could be cold blooded on initial start and that is absolutely correct. Sometimes a specific priming sequence helps tremendously. My father’s requied you to pump the ball rock hard. Not just half a55 phone it in, but pump ‘er up to 150 PSI. The she’d fire in one pull. Likely not always the case but it pays to try different sequences and sometimes finding the right combination of choke/prime/pull will help.

This sums it up very well and is applicable to a lot of small engine starting issues. Especially as they age and compression gets a touch sloppy. Getting that initial pop sequence right saves a lot of frustration.

This reminds me of a Johnson 15 my BIL bought last year. That thing was a bear to start till I figured the secret–pump the bulb, choke on for one pull, turn the choke off and she starts next pull. Works every time.

Thanks guys!!! Just getting nervous can’t wait to get it it is a owner motor since new the person selling it was 89 said it was too hard to pull the rope I hope I can get that lucky.

Have a 1978. Had to put coils in it and that should be expected because of age. Fuel pump, same thing. Mine likes one pull of choke and then turn choke off and it will start. Check prop hub. It could be old also.