40HP Mercury - 15' Sea Raider

[AMD Rules]

Having recently purchased the subject combination, I was informed that the motor was a 1992. I have spent a lot of time reading and searching these forums, to find the do's and don'ts about maintenance and operation.<br /><br />This 40HP 4cyl Classic has a s/n OC167073. From all of the links I have found this seems to be a 1989 model ??? I am disapointed that I was misled, but the motor runs well and thats what really matters.<br /><br />I am looking for a factory service manual. Can someone confirm that the model year is defintely an 1989?<br /><br />Are there many changes between a 1989 and a 1992? My previous research for 'issues' was with the 1992 and it appeared to be a reliable motor. Is 1989 the last year for a certain technology, the first year? Good/bad?<br /><br />Are the oil injection systems adjustable? My motor seems to smoke a lot when running on low idle. Currently I am using the oil that was in it when I bought it. Apparently, according to the previous owener it is a quicksilver product.<br /><br />The 1980 bowrider it is mounted on is in fair condition, but needs a small leak repaired. When coming up on a plane, if the motor is not all the way trimmed down the motor will ventilate. Even slightly triming the motor up will result in excessive ventilation. The front of the boat is essentially empty with only 2 small anchors beneath the seats.<br /><br />I have a set of foils that were on my '69 Evinrude. Should I consider mounting them on my Mercury to avoid the ventilation? They won't be the exact proper size required. Would mounting the wrong size foils be detrimental to the engine?<br /><br />I am hoping to purchase a service manual shortly. Anyone know the suitable part number?<br /><br />This site/forum is fantastic! I will certainly spend much of the winter months in here dreaming about boats. Lots to read.<br /><br />/Chris

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 40HP Mercury - 15' Sea Raider

Welcome to iboats.<br /><br />The oil injection isn't adjustable. The Quicksilver oil smokes less than cheap store brands. I don't know what year the change took place, but the main change came when they went from AutoBlend tanks to self-contained oil injection. Once they made that change, they stayed pretty much the same until they were discontinued. Good strong, smooth, and reliable motor. Dirty and kinda gas-hungry, but not bad.<br /><br />Make sure the motor is mounted all the way down on the transom. As long as you have them, go ahead and try the tails. You can always take them back off. A Stainless prop might hold onto the water a little better.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: 40HP Mercury - 15' Sea Raider

Thanks for the thoughts/advice Willy.<br /><br />I am not entirely sure what this means...<br />

I don't know what year the change took place, but the main change came when they went from AutoBlend tanks to self-contained oil injection. Once they made that change, they stayed pretty much the same until they were discontinued.

Can you elaborate for a newbie/rookie?

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: 40HP Mercury - 15' Sea Raider

I Moved the motor and controls over to my other boat ('80 16ft Fiberglass Munro enclosed bow). The ventilation plate is in line with the bottom of the hull. Behaves fantastic now, planing almost instantly and allowing me some amount of trim before slipping. Good'bye '69 Evinrude...hello '89 Merc!! Wooohoo<br /><br />Another question popped up though. When reconnecting the electrical connection at the motor, I noticed 2 wires coming from the controls, than are not hooked up. They extend about 3" into the cowling, but go nowhere. There is two other wires that get hooked up. What could the extras be for? Optional electrical items?

 

[02'Crownline]

Re: 40HP Mercury - 15' Sea Raider

hey, i have the same engine as yours(40 hp classic oil injection 4 cyl) although i know mine is a 1992. for oil i used mercury premium 2 stroke engine oil and thats all i have used since i have owned the engine. there tends to be a lot of smoke once it first starts but after that hardly nothing, so try that if u already havent. I dont think there was any major changes to the engine other than possibly the convertion of autoblend into self contained oil tanks between 1988 and 1992 which willy had already pointed out. correct me if im wrong but i think my engine year has the self contained oil tank, not sure tho. Other than that change, the engine itself has pretty much stayed the same for a long time.