This video is awesome. I thought my 3.5 merc was toast. Every time I used it, it seemed to get worse. Last time, it left me in the middle of the lake. Got this carb (cheap one from amazon) for $45 and fixed my engine in less than hour. New gas, first pull. Sounds way better. I'm shocked. Can't wait to get back on the water - ALL thanks to this video. PS. Get a small hose clamp (worm gear) before starting. The OEM one won't fit around the fuel line due to the larger carb (you can see at 4:20 its not all the way up). I had the same issue but was able to slide an open worm gear through easily.
So here is the thing..... The plastic prop is used so if you hit a object the prop will break off and not ruin the internal parts. Plastic props are cheap so carry extras on your trip. Also, the best mod you can do on that motor is to delete the fuel pump, plug the vacuum outlet, and let the fuel gravity feed to the carburetor. This will increase vacuum to the engine and make it run better with more power.
the reason you can never find the on water follow ups is because these kits dont work. Justin over at RSB needs to stop hocking these things as 5 hp conversions. they are just chinese replacement carbs with a heavier more expensive 100 dollar aluminum prop.
Heck yeah.... Purring like a kitten now! It was kinda funny when you first cranked it up... I was thinking “Man, it sounds like a jet” HA HA HA!!!! I was thinking about getting a small motor for my jon boat, but they are tough to get right now.
That's sweet. I fitted one of these carbs to my 3.5. It runs nothing like that. Fuel leaks out of the carby and it runs rough like a chaff cutter. Idle is all over the place. Will go back to the original carb and hope that works.
Watch out... My 3.5 merc had weak water output like that and I wondered it if was normal. Eventually, the impeller failed and my engine overheated so bad, it melted the oil filler cap right off, spewing oil everywhere inside and some of the plastic cap drizzled into the crankcase. It also melted a few parts on the shaft and mount area. I ordered Mercury parts from a local boat place which weren't ridiculously expensive, and a new impeller off Amazon. It's all back in order with water pissing out strong as it should, but I feel the motor just isn't as quick as it once was.
Hi ! Great job, interesting set!!! Some time has already passed, please tell me how the motor works with such an improvement? How are things with gasoline consumption? Sincerely, Alex.
I wanted this kit to work so bad but I purchased it and saw no difference what so ever and they dont allow returns after you install it. the carb from readysetboat ran worse than the original.
Same except it actually robbed speed from my set up and the engine ran like crap. I put the stock setup back on. Getting 10.6 mph with two people on a 12 ft John Boat.
I bought a mercury 3.5hp in 2012. I had always had a dead/stalling spot in the throttle that i have always had to skip over. I brought in in on warranty, they messed around with the carb a little, ultimately didn't fix the problem and told me thats just the way it is. Fast forward to 2023. I put a $35 carb. From amazon on it. No nore stalling. Nothing but smooth sailing! I wish i had known better back then. I put an aluminum prop on as well. Dont think it made a huge difference but its stronger. I didn't see this option until after I put new carb in but I can't believe how great it runs now. The carburetors they come with are trash
@Robhanna I have the 2012 also and have the same damn issue. The thing will putt down the river all day long In gear if I’m creeping slowly. Once I get to bout 1/3 to 1/2 throttle it wants to bog down and stall. Sometimes I can get it up higher and “skip” the stall. Usually not tho and I end up riding miles back up river slow as hell
HI. Nice Video. Super helpful! I'm guessing that your tracker 1754 is over 1000 lbs. I would like to use this motor with the conversion as backup power for my 700 lb sailboat. Any thoughts?
Ma il carburatore da 5 hp cosa ha in più? Gli spilli diversi? O è più aperto a livello di entrata di aria? Hai constatato un consumo maggiore di benzina?
did you have good customer service through them i order my kit 2 days ago and still don't have my receipt or any kind of notice that the purchase was made except for a bank statement
Hi looking to convert a 2020 tohatsu 3.5 to 5hp carb conversion will I need to change prop,boat is a 3.2 honwave will be two of us on it,thought I read that the 3.5 prop might be best to keep on as with give more low end power
Most of these little outboards are all very similar throughout like 5 to 15 hp (Johnsons, Chryslers, whatever..) except for carb size. I dont think this will put undue stress on anything in this case. It's a minor increase in air/fuel mix and flow.
So I just picked up a 3.5 for $80! Previous owner said it was a friends who let it sit on his dingy with ethanol fuel. He just swapped the carb because he didn’t want to clean and adjust the carb. He’s saying it runs but it does when you rev it really high. Could it be it’s starving for fuel? Or is there like an over-rev safety or something on it?
I’m thinking of getting a 4hp for my scanoe but want it to double for a kicker on my 17ft lund. What kind of speed can you get out of yours and can you lock the motor in position so it doesn’t rotate. Thanks!
Yes you can tighten down the steering to where it stays where you put it via a handle on the shaft. This 5hp carb and prop helps a bit (Ive done the same thing with the same motor.) It added a little something and removed a little hesitation when you hit the throttle. It had a spot where it bogged for a second that went away.
i too have a 2.5 that looks the same as the 3.5. i also wonder if this kit will fit mien. i emailed the company and waiting to hear back. it might fit but i fear it might be too much for the 2.5. they also might not be the same. but i dont think anyone here will know
I have the 2.5. The 2.5 and 3.5 are exactly the same except for the carb. I put a carb on it that was advertised as fitting the 3.5, 4, and 5hp engines. The throttle blade end of the new carb was bigger than the 2.5. Stands to reason there would be a gain of hp. I am not however going to go any father out on the limb and claim it is now 5 hp.
@@davem4193 Technically, yes as the engine was not running when I bought it. The bore of the replacement carb was bigger though which allows for more are and fuel. I have only ran the engine a few times. I do feel that switching from a plastic prop to a metal prop is in order though.
