What’s the trick to starting nut on merc 650 carb?

[Anonymous]

Mercurys are a real pain in the …. I’m trying to reinstall the top carb on a 1964 Merc 650. I had to remove the starter to get to the starboard nut on the carb, and with much tedious work, was able to remove the nut on the port side. I just cleaned the carburetor, and I’m having a tough time installing the nut on the port side….there must be a trick. The quarters are very tight, and I don’t want to remove the distributor. I didn’t remove the bottom carburetor, because I think it’s okay and it looks like too much trouble to remove it. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

[hugh]

I know someone with have a better way , but this is how I do it. I place the nut in position with needle nose, back it up with flat spoon tool. The spin it on with a small screwdriver or ? Not just Merc’s, but a good many carbs are hard to reach. I’ve gotten good at this and sometimes I only drop it once or twice

[r-delawter]

Where do you get the "Flat Spoon Tool" ?

Looks pretty handy.

[dave-bernard]

screwdriver works. anything will do be inventive.

[Mumbles]

If the nuts aren’t made of stainless, you can magnetise a flat screwdriver or something similar to hold the nuts in place.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnetizer-Dema … 20ff1081e4

If water or contaminates are in the fuel system, being heavier than fuel mix they usually settle in the lower carb. Just saying.

[billw]

You don’t have to drop the entire distributor, just the bottom part. It’s held on by four vertical bolts that are accessed from the top. This is pretty easy if you have a 1/4" socket set, 6" extension and a 1/4" flexible joint. It is worth the effort. A Mercury factory tech rep showed me that in 1975; and at that time, HE was an old guy.

Long live American manufacturing!

[Anonymous]

Thanks all for the help…..I think I’ll try a couple of times without dropping the distributor, and if those attempts fail, I’ll drop the bottom part of the distributor.

Thanks again,
Jim

[hugh]

I think the flat spoon came from Harbor freight years ago. A set of 6 various ones. Have been handy.
Years ago, I silver soldered 1/4 " of a bolt thread on a tool. You could thread the nut a turn or so, hold it in place and go the other way to run the nut onto the hard to reach stud. Thinking about it now, I may make another as it was very handy.

[mr-asa]

quote Mumbles:

If the nuts aren’t made of stainless, you can magnetise a flat screwdriver or something similar to hold the nuts in place.

I’ve used a little bit of grease to hold nuts onto my wrenches as well. Works excellently.

[Mumbles]

Wrapping a piece of masking tape over them helps them stick in a socket or box end wrench to! 😀

[Author]

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