1973 40 hp seems to overheat?

[BearfootTyee]

I have a 40 hp 1973 merc oil injection outboard. That runs and starts amazing.
After towing the kids on the tube for awhile it seems to shut down at idle and then takes a while to restart.
Is this an over heating or coil problem??
I am not a mechanic, but not sure where to start?

 

[racerone]

I do not believe a 1973 model 40 HP has oil injection.----Hopefully you are running with a 50:1 mix in your fuel tank.

 

[BearfootTyee]

Yes you are correct, My mistake ,it is a 1993

 

[faztbullet]

Make sure it propped for towing as lugging it will cause overheating. These series are bad as excessive overheat cycles will cause sleeves to shift rearward and contact crankshaft. Thats why I pin them(sleeves) in place during rebuilds