'81 20hp, is it a good one?

[KsPete]

I'm thinking about buying a 1981 20hp Mercury. Are there any problems with this year and size I should be concerned about? Will it be enough motor for a heavy aluminum 16' V-hull I'm renovating? I plan on putting in plywood floors and decks and a trolling motor on the bow. There will also be at least two batteries, a livewell; gear and two plus-size adults. The owner is asking $600 for it. I think that might be a little high and will probably offer less. However, if he won't take less, is that a decent price for a good running motor? It looks to be in nice shape, but I haven't heard it run yet.

 

[Laddies]

Re: '81 20hp, is it a good one?

They were a very tough and strong engines, if it has been mantained properly you should have a great engine.

 

[Laddies]

Re: '81 20hp, is it a good one?

Moved

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '81 20hp, is it a good one?

IF it has the shift in the handle, I personally am not overly fond of them. The linkages and stuff are made of plastic and get worn out easy. I own an '84 model 25hp with the shift in the handle which I gave my dad, and it is a tough, fast motor. But I despise the shift in the handle and my dad has a tendency to shift it before it idles down low and is therefore hard on the clutch dogs (the reverse is out as we speak!) I suspect that could be the same for other folks.
Just something to think about,
JBJ

 

[KsPete]

Re: '81 20hp, is it a good one?

IIRC, there is a shift lever on the left side. This is also a manual start motor (no ring gear). Is a motor this size reasonably easy to pull? I'm not all that old, but some days I feel like it.
And I guess another one of my main concerns is availability of parts for this motor. Can they still be found?
Thanks.

 

[Mac uk]

Re: '81 20hp, is it a good one?

I hear from others, some mechanics that the Mercury 20hp had a problem with the reverse gear going. It seems to be a regular problem with them, (So Im told). Ive got one and yes I had problems with the gear box. Something to think about.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '81 20hp, is it a good one?

Since it is a shift on the side Merc., I think you'd really like it. You can still find most maintenance parts with no problem at all. IF you keep it tuned good, it will start in about 3 pulls cold and it's not hard to pull in my opinion. KEEP IT TUNED RIGHT! i.e. spotless carb. SHift it nice and snappy at low idle and there should be no problems with your gears if you don't already have one.​

 

[KsPete]

Re: '81 20hp, is it a good one?

Thanks for the help.
I think I'll take a week or three to think about it and look for a less expensive alternative in a Johnson or Evinrude. But if I don't find something in that time frame, I'll probably make him an offer.
I've been keeping an eye on Craigslist and Ebay (locally), but there hasn't been much showing up. I'll probably post a WTB on CL, so we'll see what happens.
My wife says I change my mind more than a woman does, so who knows, I might go down tomorrow and make an offer on the Merc. It's being sold on consignment at a local boat repair shop.