rebuilt 1978 Mercury 1500 Black Max

[1973Chieftain]

Quick question for you Mercury experts- I'm looking at buying a '78 1500 Black Max with tilt/trim that supposedly was rebuilt last year. Seller states "new piston rings, hoses, wiring, complete rebuild". Its on a donor boat for $1700. My question is should I be concerned with it being rebuilt? New parts, particularly electrical, would be nice but I can't help but wonder why it needed rebuilding. Supposedly running perfectly. I'm looking at this or a '82 Johnny 140hp for the same price... I know, Ford/Chevy debate! But is a rebuild a problem? Thanks!

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: rebuilt 1978 Mercury 1500 Black Max

Honing and new rings is not a rebuild ....its a patch in my book. Go with 82 140hp as a lot of parts for this year 150/175's are getting hard to find and $$$ when you do. You need to get control box with it and trim pump as these will only fit that motor,you cannot use later model controls with this engine.