Is a 1979 50 merc a good outboard

[PITTS]

I have bought a boat with a 1979 50 merc with thunderbolt ignition.I need to know with 3 cylinders at 125 compression and the bottom cylinder at 120 is this outboard holding its own or what?The engine is the cleanest I have seen then even brand new ones only 2 years old.I think this has been taken really good care of.I would like any thought you all may have on this,Thank-you

 

[steelespike]

Re: Is a 1979 50 merc a good outboard

P, I have had 2 very similar motors a 1977 and a 1965.<br /> I was told in 76 by the original owner of the 1965 that it was the best motor Merc or any one else had made to that point.<br /> Im still running the 65.<br /> Your compression sounds very good and the motor is probably sound.<br /> You could try a decarbonizer but your compression is very good.And well within the 10%<br />allowed between cylinders.<br />You can get original owners and service manuals<br />from Grubbs Marine at www.oldmercs.com.<br />Another great old Merc. site is Johns Old Mercury<br />Web Site at www.pfs-ware.com great forum lots of links etc.<br /> Good luck.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Is a 1979 50 merc a good outboard

I too had one. It was pretty easy to work on and reliable.<br />I ran mine for 4 years, fishing tournaments, and never had any problems with it. I did replace the water pump impeller one time. And put one set of plugs in it.<br />Very good engine, atleast mine was.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: Is a 1979 50 merc a good outboard

Good motors. I like the 1976 and newer better than the mid-60s thru mid-70s because it's much easier to get at the carbs to clean them. On the 1970-74, you have to just about strip the powerhead to get at them. <br /><br />I'd second the recommendation to replace the impeller, unless you're sure it's just been done. It's easy to do, inexpensive & if it goes you're only warning will be when the motor seizes up on you.<br /><br />The stator provides juice directly to the switchbox on those motors (1976 & up). There's a low speed set of coils, and a high speed set. The low speed set of coils burns out often (2 for 3 in my limited experience), which'll mean you get no spark under ~ 1200 rpm. The motor will run perfect at anything above a slow idle, but will be stone dead below that. Rapair (aftermarket company) claims the low speed coils heat up and burn out, & makes a replacement stator that they claim has better cooling and solves the problem.