Re: Stalling 1965 Merc 39

[billw]

Along with what was said above, if possible, I would try another different tank and line, as a test. My guess is that it’s going to be something with the tank and line…

While this may not be the problem, little Mercs of that vintage can tend to overheat a lot. The main reason is an impeller that has bent-back blades. (Impellers, if more that a few years old, also can fail without notice, between the rubber and the brass, which causes NO water; so you ought to be replacing it as a precaution, anyway.) The other way that they can overheat slowly is because of debris….corroded metal dust….in the cooling passages. The next time you run it for awhile, put your thumb on top of the cylinder and make sure you can hold it there. Edit: BE CAREFUL OF THE FLYWHEEL! It shouldn’t be hot enough to burn you. Overheats can cause fuel issues and/or cause the motor to stop because it locks up internally. When it cools, it turns over again. Doing this repeatedly is NOT good; so you should at least check the temp to rule it out.

Long live American manufacturing!