Mercury 200 Black Max - Year 1985 - Carb Rebuild and Reed Replacement

[bboyz]

I am rebuilding a 1985 Mercury 200 Black Max. I am looking for information on what can be done to the carbs and reed blocks to improve performance. Nothing crazy ..but a little something.
I am doing a carb rebuild and replacing the reeds - horizontal type.
What kind of reeds can be purchased? From where?
What could be done with the jetting on the carbs ....matching to the reeds I would buy?
The carbs are "WH 31" - part number 1374-5427

Another question is concerning the vent jets.
Top Carb - one only on the right side
Middle Carb - both left and right
Bottom Carb - one only on the left side

Why? I know ....just build them as I took the vent jets out but I like to understand it.

Thanks

Bboyz

[Merc 2.5]

Sounds like u have. 2.4 200. Wanna get u some reeds from Chris Carson, a vendor here. Top notch reeds.,, rejetting carbs wont do anything for u ,unless you bump up compression , those are good carbs also, only jet up if you increase air or compression ,, if your not interested in more compression ,then all u will need is the reeds

[rkmirage]

You might concider an intake spacer and intake stuffers, Chris Carson sells these also.

[roadkill636]

Block sand the reed cages to make them flat.
Remove the reeds and clean the alumanum cages up rral good and then lay them on a sheet of 400gt sandpaper that is sitting on a piece of glass and rub em around and knock down the high spots.

Call Chris. His number is on the package in my pic. Tell him Roadkill sent ya

[LakeFever]

Are you redoing the cyls?

[bboyz]

Are you redoing the cyls?

Yes I am doing the complete more - new pistons / rings / bearings. Shall I just go stock?

[bboyz]

Block sand the reed cages to make them flat.
Remove the reeds and clean the alumanum cages up rral good and then lay them on a sheet of 400gt sandpaper that is sitting on a piece of glass and rub em around and knock down the high spots.

Call Chris. His number is on the package in my pic. Tell him Roadkill sent ya

RK ....thanks, that is good advice. I remember doing that when I was racing go karts ....."wax on / wax off" ...repeat

I will call Chris tomorrow ...thanks again

[bboyz]

You might concider an intake spacer and intake stuffers, Chris Carson sells these also.

I will give Chris a call and get a quote ...thanks as well

[bboyz]

Sounds like u have. 2.4 200. Wanna get u some reeds from Chris Carson, a vendor here. Top notch reeds.,, rejetting carbs wont do anything for u ,unless you bump up compression , those are good carbs also, only jet up if you increase air or compression ,, if your not interested in more compression ,then all u will need is the reeds

I am getting the heads cleaned up as we speak. One was a little messed up but shop said it was fixable. I was thinking about "upping" the compression as I need to get one head fixed as it is. I see guys are measuring the "CC" of the head. i assume that is to raise the compression. What is a reasonable "CC" number to aim for but not get too crazy?
I can get 93 or 94 octane easily if that info helps with the decisions.
Again - thanks for the time and knowledge here

[Merc 2.5]

32cc is about right for a 2.4 200. 140ish lbs ,or a stock set 150 heads so u can have a set to play with ,and yes always run 93+ no ethanol if possible. Don't max out wot timing

[bboyz]

32cc is about right for a 2.4 200. 140ish lbs ,or a stock set 150 heads so u can have a set to play with ,and yes always run 93+ no ethanol if possible. Don't max out wot timing

Ok ....32 cc I understand ...simple enough. Out of curiosity what is the cc for a standard set of heads? Just like to know / understand the starting point.

150 Heads ....please educate me on "150" heads

Is there a thread or a web page with the info on WOT timing so I can understand it better or could you explain it a bit.

[bboyz]

Block sand the reed cages to make them flat.
Remove the reeds and clean the alumanum cages up rral good and then lay them on a sheet of 400gt sandpaper that is sitting on a piece of glass and rub em around and knock down the high spots.

Call Chris. His number is on the package in my pic. Tell him Roadkill sent ya

I also noticed when taking apart the reed block that the screws (holding the reed) were quite long. Is there a reason for that? Seems to me that the extra long screws would disturb air flow. Should / can I buy some new screws and go as short as possible?