Order the 1966-1974 Mercury master service manual and learn how to do it. Before I would do that, check the lower unit oil and see if there is anything in it. Those engines had steel driveshafts and...

Pull the propeller and make sure the propeller hub is not rubbing on the gear housing and that the proper thrust washer is in place.

I would surmise that our level of expectation of quality would be exponentially higher considering the very high price of today's outboard technology. Defects can occur but our expectations are not...

Primer bulb on backwards, arrows should point towards engine.

Looks like they're manufactured from a joint venture in China. Did you reach out to the California contact on their website?

Don't waste time or money trying to make a 90 hp into something it can't be. You'll get more benefits by making sure the engine is set at the correct height, a decent propeller and the weight...

Hide the gearcase under the guest room bed, good place to stash stuff without detection or can you pull the boat further back on the trailer to trim the engine down?

Why did you install a new trim switch? What was it doing before? Does the engine trim down from the cowl mounted switch?

I too, learn from them. That is why I'm on this site from time to time. I apologize if I insulted anyone, I just felt like I needed to make a point. So back to business.
Timeguy, I did want to let...

Actually, I'm a proud paying member of that website for the last 7 years and have a huge amount of respect for everyone on the site who speaks from years of experience and are always willing to help...

[QUOTE=flyingscott;702997]Nobody is begging you to stay here

The last thing I would do is leave here in spite of you. In fact, I am very happy to stay here and savor your pontification and listen...

Welcome to the condescending know it all club who some love to prove their superior knowledge and dangle a solution as long as you pay homage to their wisdom and ego. That's why they drop the one...

Yep, I run Stihl synthetic 50-1 fuel in all my Stihl saws, blowers and weed wackers, $35 a gallon at Ace hardware but it works and is guaranteed for 2 years.

Funny here in Florida, no marinas sell E10, Only in emergencies can the Coast Guard and Marine Patrol or any state boat run E10. It is mandatory that they run non-ethanol. I haven't had a fuel...

Are you sure about that?
http://johnsoldmercurysite.com/whitepapers/mercosil/mobile/index.html

First; Mercosil is not anything more than a unique cylinder liner material, its not anything special over regular iron sleeved engines. For all you old timers a much advanced Chevy Vega cylinder...

Since you're not familiar with this engine, go to the Mercury parts tab on this website, plug in your serial number and go to the exploded views of every part on the engine by component group and...

Be looking at upper crankshaft seal for the issue. Reeds usually show up as sneeze back through the carb throat that cant be controlled through mixture adjustment assuming the carb doesn't have...

Do you know the origin of this engine? Where was it kept, dehumidified warehouse? Any way to validate the serial number? Since it's never been registered by a dealer or owner does it still have a...

If you look up your engine serial number on this website and go 2:31 or 2:33 gearcase, propshaft view, you will see where the three ball bearings came from. All part of the shift follower assembly,...