Need education from the Merc pros

[bonz_d]

Picking up another 14' fishing boat tomorrow that is rated up to 40hp. It doesn't have an engine with it but does have a console helm so I'll be looking for something with a steering tilt tube.

All of my experience is with OMC outboards and have very limited experience with Mercury. What I have been coming across are late 70's to late 80's Merc 35hp or the 402 model. Can anyone give me some insight to these engines? Parts availability, common problems, weak spots, any year models I should avoid? I understand from being with this forum for a while that Mercury has a NLA parts rather quickly issue.

The reason for asking again is that I'm coming across a good number of these and don't want to rule them out just because I don't have any experience with them like I do with the OMC engines.

Thanks!

 

[Faztbullet]

Stay away from the 2 cylinder 35/40/402, look for a 4 cylinder 40.......JMO

 

[Alumarine]

Any of the 4 cylinder 40-50 hp without a distributor should be good motors.
I've never had trouble getting parts for 1982 and up.

 

[bonz_d]

Thanks for the responses. Right now there are quite a few of the 2 cylinder 35/402 available locally but I have yet to see a 40hp 4 cyl. So should I just continue to look for another OMC 2 cylinder? They have been reliable and easy to work on in the past.

 

[emckelvy]

Ain't nothing wrong with the Big-Inch OMC 2-cylinders, a 35hp like you had on your last boat would probably push it along nicely.

I recall back in the 80's my buddy had a 14' Glastron runabout for a while, with a '76 Johnson 35hp. After he sold it the guy on the lake was water-skiing with it! He was pretty skinny but I was still impressed with a 35hp that could pull a slalom skier! I'd imagine he had to start on 2 and drop one, but then we were running a 70hp Dockbuster on a 13-1/2" Sea-King runabout to be able to do slalom starts!

Search your Craigslist and hit the box on the side that says "nearby areas". It'll bring up a lot more results.

Excellent advice from the other poster's, the Merc Big Twin was not one of their shining stars, to say the least. The 44-cube 4-cyl, on the other hand, is one of the best outboards ever built! If you can't find a 50/40, stick with a 35 hp JohnRude.

HTH & G'luck with the hunt.

 

[bonz_d]

Like I said, I know nothing about Mercury accept now with 3 votes to stay away from those 2 cylinders. Is the 40/50hp basically the same engine like the 50/55/60hp OMC?

As far as CL, I've got most of the state of Wis. and half of Illinois covered. I usually find what I'm looking for.

 

[Chinewalker]

Ain't nothing wrong with the Merc 2-cylinder models. Basically 1/3 of the venerable 6-cylinders. Only issue I've ever and with the 2s was I've had a couple break cranks. Both were on small boats, driven by kids and run hard. Prop it to spin only to the top of the RPM range, keep the prop in the water and it should stay together.
The 4-cylinder Mercs are great motors, too.

 

[bonz_d]

Well right now I'm watching 8 different Mercs, 6 of then are 40hp 2 cylinder and one is a 1988 35hp. Another is a 1986 402. Prices are ranging from $300 to $700. All but two states they are running and all come with controls.
The boat already has a Merc control one it.

 

[bonz_d]

So I got this new boat home and the control has a smaller straight control plug, forgot to count the pins, could someone tell me which engines this will fit? Does it have any value for resale if I end up going with an OMC engine?

 

[bonz_d]

Well I was hoping for more feedback on this because I really do have a line on a couple of very nice looking engines. One being a 1988 35hp and the other a 1986 402. So thanks for the advise I've received.

 

[Chris1956]

"smaller straight control plug" is not very descriptive. A picture would help a small amount. A part number would be much better.

 

[Chinewalker]

1986 would NOT be a 402. That designation was from the 1970s. Last of the 40hp twins was 1983, before they went to 35 designation for essentially the same motor (powerhead rated HP vs. propshaft rated HP).

 

[bonz_d]

Chinewalker thanks again.

Been searching the web on Mercs and I can't believe how hard it is to find any info, parts diagrams, and such. Maybe I'm just doing it wrong.

Anyways I've come across what looks like a 1987 35hp with power trim. The owner took it off a toon because they were having trouble starting it though he said once started it ran well. Said they replaced it with a new 20hp Merc. Must be a small lake. He's practically giving it away so I'm not passing it up. Though there are also no controls to come with it.

Do you know are all the 1987 engines oil injected?

As to the control I have it's a Quicksilver with 7 pins and has the black button in the center of the lever , anyone know what this fits? Will it work with the 1987 35hp?

 

[Chinewalker]

Yes, it'll fit.

 

[bonz_d]

Again thanks Chinewalker! Sure to have more questions after I pick this up.

 

[60sboater]

Let us know how it works out.

 

[bonz_d]

Well I was supposed to go buy this today but an emergency came up and couldn't go. It's now been sold to next buyer. Missed this for $100.00. The hunt continues.

 

[60sboater]

Yeah,100 bucks...you'd think it was a parts motor.