Mercury Outboard Motors Anyone?

A place for mechanical discussions that are not motorcycle related. Boats, Cadillac's, mowers, tractors, Trucks Et all.

Moderators: CYBORG, Oldewing, robin1731, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
delling3
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1177
Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:14 am
Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan

Mercury Outboard Motors Anyone?

#1

Post 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?
delling3

1979 Yamaha XS750SF

Previous:
1978 GL1000 - JUNE 2017 BOTM: Sold
2006 Kawasaki Concours: Sold
1995 Kawasaki Concours: Crashed/totalled.
1976 GL1000: LAST RESTORATION, sold
1981 Honda CB900F Supersport: 3rd restoration, sold.
1979 Yamaha XS-750F: 2nd restoration, sold.
1982 Honda FT-500 Ascot: First (only) new bike. Family forces sale.
1973 CB500 Four: First restoration, long gone.
1972 Suzuki TS-100: First bike, sold.

Only dead fish go with the flow . . .
User avatar
Whiskerfish
President
President
Posts: 36850
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:34 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/whiskerfish/
Location: Norfolk Va

Re: Mercury Outboard Motors Anyone?

#2

Post 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!
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
User avatar
Rat
Photo Gallery Admin
Photo Gallery Admin
Posts: 15457
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 9:59 pm
My Album: https://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rat/
RIP: cookie
Location: Toronto .... Canada

Re: Mercury Outboard Motors Anyone?

#3

Post by Rat »

Polkadot did a bunch of old out board restos ....

Gord
"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
User avatar
Dog Boy
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1449
Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:49 pm
Location: Wilmington, Illinois

Re: Mercury Outboard Motors Anyone?

#4

Post 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
They call me "Dog Boy"

Can't blame the "PO"
Original owner 76 LTD
Team 993
User avatar
Liam
True Blue Steel Biker
True Blue Steel Biker
Posts: 2066
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:23 am
Location: Ireland

Re: Mercury Outboard Motors Anyone?

#5

Post 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.
User avatar
calif wingnut
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1650
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2011 10:10 am
Location: Patterson, Calif 44 years winging it

Re: Mercury Outboard Motors Anyone?

#6

Post by calif wingnut »

Just sold a 72 Nordic jet boat with a 75 olds 455 in it...not quite a mercury engine though :<)
Attachments
IMG_9359.JPG
IMG_9359.JPG (131.39 KiB) Viewed 174 times
IMG_9358.JPG
IMG_9358.JPG (148.86 KiB) Viewed 174 times
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Trains, Planes, and Automobiles”