1986 Merc Classic Fifty

[swick]

What do you think about the 86 Mercury Classic Fifty outboard? I want to buy a small boat with one, any opinions on the engine are appreciated.

45hp 4 cyl 2 stroke

 

[7920hpMercury]

Re: 1986 Merc Classic Fifty

IMHO and many others, this was one of Mercury's best motors.

Like any of them though it can be a problem too.

I would check the compression, check lower unit oil, check for signs of overheating, make sure the tale tale hose comes off the top of the block (pretty sure this one does). Good luck!

 

[swick]

Re: 1986 Merc Classic Fifty

Thanks 7920. The seller is actually replacing the water pump this coming week. He said it overheated for the first time the day before I was coming to see it. Its my understanding that there is no head gasket on this model so what other damage could overheating have caused?

 

[7920hpMercury]

Re: 1986 Merc Classic Fifty

No head gasket, this is true.

Overheating can cause piston scoring and a host of other problems. I think it depends on how hot it got. I would check the compression and see if the paint is burnt. A buddy of mine got a boroscope and we checked out the inside of a Corvette frame for rust through the frame holes. He said he also used it to go through the spark plug holes and check out cylinder conditions.
If you could find, borrow or rent a boroscope, it would seem this would be a good way to check outboard cylinder condition (without disassembly) as well.

Good luck and if questionable, I would keep looking as there are lots of Mercury 50's out there.

 

[swick]

Re: 1986 Merc Classic Fifty

thanks 7920. What paint are you referring to?

Nice idea about the boroscope, probably would be handy to use on my tahoe cyclinders, has a blown head gasket, hopefully no cracks in the block....

But back to the outboard... which paint would be burnt?