Reliability of old 1975 Merc 200 20hp?

[boatster]

Ok, so I am finally getting my Merc back together with a transplant lower unit and a transplant mid section. Its been a painful journey but I finally have the new impeller in . My question is this, how reliable are these older motors (1975)? More specifically the Merc 200 20hp? I hear they are somewhat coveted but for what reason? I plan on using this motor in the ocean and gaining access to some remote inner coastal spots. Reliability is my main concern. I took a 87 Evinrude 9.9 out the other time and that POS is plagued with problems, overheated from seaweed, then the powerpack decided to die. Thank god I was with a friend who had a sailboat. What could I expect to fail on this Merc while on the water? Do the Merc powerpacks go bad as easily as the Evinrudes? Thanks again.<br /><br />Adam

 

[boatster]

Re: Reliability of old 1975 Merc 200 20hp?

Top. No thoughts as to the reliability of the older mercs??

 

[Merc805]

Re: Reliability of old 1975 Merc 200 20hp?

If you look after them.. Fresh fuel. reg W/P changes, plugs and the occasional WD40 spray, they will look after you...

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Reliability of old 1975 Merc 200 20hp?

yep they die and cost a lot more as well. also they will plug up and overheat with seaweeds as well. roll the dice and pray for 7 not 3's <br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[boatster]

Re: Reliability of old 1975 Merc 200 20hp?

Hmm, is that 1 dice thus making 7 impossible and three a 1-6 odd? Then Reliability of older mercs isn't that good. Or is it 2 dice, thus making 7 more likely than 3 (2+5, 3+4, 5+2, 4+3 vs 1+2, 2+1,) Thats a 2-1 odd that it'll be reliable? I like the notion that its 2 dice. Then again what if it hits any other combo of numbers, what then? I guess don't go boating that day I should just get a magic 8 ball and throw my fate to the wind <br /><br />Well anyways I'm re-assembling this puppy from top to bottom so hopefully I will have run into any possible problems. I'm going to replace all the old oily crumbly wires too. I'm just hoping say the coils or the powerpack don't go bad. Everything else looks very stout compared to my Evinrude POS

 

[Merc805]

Re: Reliability of old 1975 Merc 200 20hp?

Rectifiers, stators and powerpacks blow up on new motors too, and not only Mercs. New ones are prone to excactly the same problems (seaweeed clog, lean condition etc), but the initial outlay is higher. Corrosion is a facotor with the oldies in saltwater, like water cover and wires.. If you plan to re-wire etc, you haven't got much to lose.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Reliability of old 1975 Merc 200 20hp?

dice is the plural form. die is the singular. that is why I said dice <br /> good luck with that old merc. but my shirt doies not say maytag. if its an outboard it will break regardless of use job security baby.<br /> long live saltwater<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[Ginder75]

Re: Reliability of old 1975 Merc 200 20hp?

I have a 1977 Model 200 20 hp and it has been a great runner with only one problem. I had a rough idle that was caused by corroded wires on the CDI/Switch box. If you are going to replace all the wires under the cowl and you have gone over the motor, then you should have a runner.<br /><br />But remember this, it is a 30 year old motor. If you run it hard and do not take the time to tend to its needs, it will leave you sitting dead in the water miles from the nearest phone.<br /><br />Good luck, keep it clean, and watch the wires they can get you.

 

[boatster]

Re: Reliability of old 1975 Merc 200 20hp?

Ah yes, die. I learn something new every day on this here BB. Thanks.<br /><br />Yes, the old wires are definitely gonna kill this puppy if not changed. That, the carb, the powerhead, lowerunit, impeller, stator, coils, and anything else I guess. Gotta do what I can to lessen the odds. However, tis a stout motor indeed. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Reliability of old 1975 Merc 200 20hp?

those motors suck major a$$! dont push your luck, give it to me! i just wanna see you safe and secure. no sense in you using that old ba$tard if you can be safer with a brand new unbreakable motor made by these new super companies!<br /><br /><br />ps..can you here my sarcasm<br /><br />pss.. it will only last as long as you let it....they dont maintain themselves...<br /><br />if 2 people bought 2 new motors, same make and hp on the same day...<br />person #1 did all proper maintaince as scheduled<br />person #2 did only what broke, no reg maintaince<br /><br />person #1's motor would last 10 times as long, but person #2 would still go around bad mouthing his motor for beig such a peice of ****<br /><br />99% of time, its not the motor, its the man

 

[boatster]

Re: Reliability of old 1975 Merc 200 20hp?

phatmanmike,<br /><br />that is very true. With regards to my Evinrude 9.9. I inherited this little beast from a friend who clearly did not take care of it. I have done so much to get this thing working right but small things keep popping up. I've realized its harder to bring things back into the fold once they've departed. I still haven't given up on that one just lost alot of confidence in it. <br /> <br />I'm a very thorough person, thats why I'm doing a # on this Merc. I think it will return the favor.<br /><br />Also, I think the design of the Evinrude lower unit and body is really stupid. It has a perfectly vertical leading edge and thus and drifting seaweed catches and hangs very well. At least the Merc has a tapering lower unit so that seaweed can slide down below and away from the intakes. Its all in the subtle details I think

 

[natedennis]

Re: Reliability of old 1975 Merc 200 20hp?

i aquired an old merc 200 1964 model.. i dont know how it compairs to the 70's. the motor hadnt been used for 10+ years. i started taking it apart compression check, rewiring, cleaned the carb, changed the plugs, popped the flywheel and jimmy rigged the magneta. put it back together and cranked first pull. the things like a rock. i also got a 9.9 80's merc that had been in salt water,, if you want to keep the engine for 20 years, dont. they make newer engines made for withstanding the abuse related to salt water. the old ones dont fair to well. but if you keep it up and baby it, like Ginder75 said, it will take care of you.