Reeds on 89 115 Merc

[Sutphil]

I started the motor up last weekend to find that it wouldn't idle down below 1400 rpm. Linkages were all free but a family of mice :( had built a home inside the cowl over the winter and the motor had injested a bunch of foam and other debris from their nest. I removed the carb cover assy and pulled out small bits of fuel soaked hair and junk from the carb throats but they seemed to be closing fine. I went on to remove the attenuator plate, carbs and induction manifolds and reed blocks (figuring the reeds were the real culprits)finding small bits of hair and foam as I go.

My question is should I replace the reeds? I thought that they would be in terrible shape but they look pretty good. Of the 9 pedals in each of the four block assemblies, seven or eight are lying flush to the reed block. Only one or two are elevated from the mating surface and when checked with the feeler gauge they are right at .020". These are steel and there is no sign of chipping or warping so I need opinions on whether these will run properly when re-installed or should they go in the garbage.

Also, is there a Merc part no. for the gasket kit I need?

[j_martin]

If they look good, are not rusted from animal dung, which could cause a corossion stress failure later, and seal to no light to a hairline, put em back in.

If you've taken the reeds off the blocks, you might as well lap the blocks and put in new reeds. At this point I'd put in boyesen reeds.

hope it helps
John