Help!!!!!

Hey all just joined, and I must say I've found alot of useful info here.
It's nice to find a site like this and deal with people who know what they are talking about.
Heres my question, I am not an amature when it comes to boats, grew up around them most of my life. However, I just picked up a 1973 18' Silverline with a 120 HP Mercury outboard on it. This is my first outboard, and I feel like a fish out of water when it comes to working on it and maintience on it.
Looking for any input/info here that will help me out on getting this thing running in top shape. I know that I can get a book or two, and i'm not against or too proud to do that, but I feel the need to ask here and see what comes of it.
Thanks all!!!
Rich

Okay, okay...... I'm sure there are alot of you out there that viewed this, and knew that I didn't know what I was talking about and for that I appologize.
Turns out fish out of water was an understatement.
I've learned that Mercury didn't make a 120HP motor in '73. What I actually have is a 150HP in-line 6. I stant corrected, and still looking for any info on this motor. I've learned that the wiring is shot, and thr housing, (not the outer shell) is cracked in multiple places. Somebody really beat this thing up. Fortunately for me, the actual mechanics if this motor seems sound, I can only assume that the last owner had just enough knowledge to be dangerous.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Rich

 

Ancient Merc outboard.... those are remarkably simple motors. Pick up the thing's shop manual, and ask at your library for a couple of books on 2-stroke engines. Once you learn a bit about the innards of your new toy it's really not that complicated.

 

Thanks much Matt, will look into it, and go from there.
Appreiciate the info, will let you know how it goes.
Rich