Reply To: 1972 Mercury 20 hp

[billw]

On that engine it should be obvious which spark plug wire goes on which plug, so I doubt they are reversed, unless somebody moved the wires from one coil to another. Using a pump oil can or a syringe, squirt a small amount of fresh gas/oil mix directly into the throat of the carb and try to start it. If it fires with more life and even runs for a few seconds, then you’ll need to clean the fuel system out, especially the carb.

Long live American manufacturing!