Mercury vs Evinrude

[wildwood11]

Hey I was wondering what would be a faster/more powerful motor. A 1975 75 hp Evinrude Hustler or a 1985 Mercury 75 hp. I have a 16 foot runabout. I know the Evinrude is a 3 cyl and the Mercury is a 4 cyl. Advice is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Mercury vs Evinrude

75HP is 75HP, WW. If there is any difference you will not be able to measure it.

 

[wildwood11]

Re: Mercury vs Evinrude

What about the difference in age. I know the 75 Mercury was formerly rated at 85 then downgraded to 75 when they changed the rating system. I dont think I can put a 90 on my boat but Id like to get as much power as possible.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Mercury vs Evinrude

the Merc is 10 years newer, assuming all things equal, including wear. I would go with the Merc.

 

[DC20]

Re: Mercury vs Evinrude

Interesting question. I have read before that going from a 130 or 140 4 cylinder to a 150 6 cylinder (outboard) that you get more torque even though the horsepower is not much more. Is there any advantage to the extra cylinder the OP is comparing?

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Mercury vs Evinrude

The 75 Merc will have more bottom end torque as its a "crossflow" and has power trim and tilt.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Mercury vs Evinrude

The 75 Merc will have more bottom end torque as its a "crossflow" and has power trim and tilt.

Butttt there is the subject of fuel efficiency and the difference is noticeable, at least it was for me in going from crossflow to direct charged to loop charged engines. I had a 70's 70 Rude and a 70's something 85 hp 4 cyl Merc. Don't remember what year on the Merc nor whether it was direct charged....don't think so. I remember the stripes on the cowl were red/silver/blue and when they got to the rear of the cowl they went down, like Ranger does it's bass boat trademarks. Don't remember the years the the two companies went from "brake hp" to Prop hp. So, I can't advise you on that. I will say that the 4 cyl is mighty smooth running and I think I remember someone saying that crossflows are smoother running in addition to the torque advantage. My 4 cyl was easy to start first thing in the morning especially in the winter.

Sooooo. With today's fuel prices I would go with the looper and change the impeller AND the thermostat after you get it. Let the performance fall where it may.

My 2c,
Mark

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Mercury vs Evinrude

The Merc will be putting out more hp at the propeller as the way hp was measured back in the mid-'80s. The 1975 motor was rated at the crankshaft and with gear and oil friction losses, it will have less hp at the prop.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Mercury vs Evinrude

The Merc will be putting out more hp at the propeller as the way hp was measured back in the mid-'80s. The 1975 motor was rated at the crankshaft and with gear and oil friction losses, it will have less hp at the prop.

I thought mid '80's was correct but not sure so I didn't say it. I think it was a govt. mandate.....maybe a BIA mandate. Dunno......

Mark

 

[79Merc80]

Re: Mercury vs Evinrude

Mid year 1983 was the change over for Mercury from crank rated to prop rated.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Mercury vs Evinrude

I think it was a govt. mandate.....maybe a BIA mandate. Dunno......

Mark

It was a voluntary agreement among the outboard manufacturers to use an industry standard way of measuring horsepower to level the playing field.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Mercury vs Evinrude

It was a voluntary agreement among the outboard manufacturers to use an industry standard way of measuring horsepower to level the playing field.

Thanks. I dooooo like it when industry decides to standardize things. Take box cutters for example. Yesterday I was in Lowes picking up my floor tile and wanted a box cutter to cut the tiles. I go over to the tools section and find a cutter that I like and a package of extra blades made by another mfgr. I checked and the blades were the same dimension as the 5 that came in the pack with the cutter. Great!

Mark

 

[wildwood11]

Re: Mercury vs Evinrude

So the Evinrude should be a lot better on fuel even though its older?

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Mercury vs Evinrude

So the Evinrude should be a lot better on fuel even though its older?

All I can tell you is what I have experienced. I have been running OB's since 1956 so I have come up through the ranks of evolution. Take the Rude!

Mark