TOPIC: Mark 78Ael

Picked up a Mark 78 this week, it's a real basket case but it does turn over. That's the only good news. Full of rust and corrosion. I have no controls for it but I do have a harness plug from an older motor that will plug into the connection. The shifter is rusted tight so there is no way to know if it's in forward or reverse. I want to do a compression check on it to see if it's worth any effort. What's the best way to hot wire this with a push button for a turn over.

Cal,
Right or wrong, I just used jumper cables and the battery. Used the hot lead on the starter stud for a few turns to get the readings.

Bob

If it actually is a Mk, the engine is direct reversing & is always in gear. There is no neutral. There is no shift lever, only a throttle lever. are there TWO levers or just one on the lower pan? Not to be a downer - but engines in thie condition you describe usually need a complete tear-down to see if they are even rebuildable.

BG

Did a compression test on the 78 today, 115-120 on all six. Still in a conundrum on what to do with this motor. I have nothing to put it on, long shaft, no controls. How much is it going to cost me for a set of controls? Can't find any on ebay or surfing. The shocks are missing also. Don't have deep pockets either. Is it really worth sticking $$$ into?