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Mercury Outboard Motors Anyone?

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 1:50 pm
by delling3
So, I took what might have been a stupid risk, and I just purchased an early 90's Mercury outboard.

It is a fresh-water engine, 40HP, 4 cylinder, 2-stroke. My plan is to replace the existing 25HP Johnson on my families pontoon boat with it. Now for the risky part. It doesn't run. Motor is clean and appears to not have been abused. Has good compression, but no spark. Supposedly the ignition crapped out fairly recently, and the PO decided to repower with a new 4-stroke.

Assuming that the ignition can be sorted out, the motor will be a heck of a deal.

Anyone have any knowledge of such things? I am going to get a manual, etc., but thought someone here might have some experience with outboards?

Re: Mercury Outboard Motors Anyone?

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 3:18 pm
by Whiskerfish
Had a 90's 40hp Evinrude tiller with electric start on one of my fishing boats. It never failed me. Great little motor. Had it for about 10 years and I don't recall ever working on it. Sold it when I got the big boat. Good luck with the Merc!

Re: Mercury Outboard Motors Anyone?

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 4:00 pm
by Rat
Polkadot did a bunch of old out board restos ....

Gord

Re: Mercury Outboard Motors Anyone?

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 10:16 pm
by Dog Boy
In 1985, I bought a new boat with a new 35 Merc, 2 cylinder, 2 stroke w/auto oiler. Ran like a champ until I went a long weekend fishing trip in the Hayward, Wisconsin area.
One cylinder kept kicking in and out. Turned out to be a cracked coil. Hit up a local repair shop, bought a coil, replaced it, problem solved. That and replacing the water pump impeller, were the only issues I had with the motor in 10 years of ownership and I used it a lot!
Have also owned a 9.9 "kicker" and a 115. Both 2 stroke Mercs. No issues whatsoever, in 4 plus years of ownership.

AL

Re: Mercury Outboard Motors Anyone?

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 5:50 pm
by Liam
Many moons ago I had a ski boat with a 75Hp Johnson/Evinrude mongrel that I built myself from 2 non runners.
One thing to check, there is usually a deadman connection which kills the ignition system.
Check out the wiring on that first of all.

Re: Mercury Outboard Motors Anyone?

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:42 pm
by calif wingnut
Just sold a 72 Nordic jet boat with a 75 olds 455 in it...not quite a mercury engine though :<)