Repowering, cause I have to...............

[itsaboattime]

So on Fathers day my son and I are fishing. No luck so we decide to cruise the river for a while. My Johnson 50hp starts right up and runs just fine until I go to full throttle. Then it starts to ping and miss. I shut it down immedietly and used the trollin motor to get to the dock. Today is the first chance I get to take a look at it. The lower cylinder is trashed. Looks like a ring came apart and raised havoc in that cylinder. Head is shot, cylinder is shot, Piston, of course, is shot.
So, now I am looking to repower. I can get an older Mercury 80hp from a dealer in Spring Valley for $650.00 installed and out the door. My boat is rated for a 120 horse, so an 80 should be ok. And yes I know the 50 horse was way too small for a boat with that max rating.
My question..........Do I wanna switch to a Mercury outboard?? I have had nothing but good luck with my Johnsons. I don't know squat about Mercurys. All opinions are welcome.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Repowering, cause I have to...............

Whether or not to switch to a Mercury is a matter of who you ask, ask at the Mercury outboard forum and you will most likely get a different answer than on here.

I strongly prefer Evinrude/Johnson motors, for several reasons, mostly because they're simpler to work on, most are lighter, and parts are easier to get around here.

If you compare Mercury to OMC by horsepower ratings, the Mercury will usually be a larger, heavier motor. Especially in the 50hp class. You would be looking at a twin cylinder vs. a small 4 cylinder.

One thing that always put me off about Mercury is their expensive switch box ignition and a tendency to have rotted wiring harnesses, but an argument could be made either way I guess on this point. Evinrude and Johnson motors also seem to use far fewer special tools when it comes to working on them.


I own a few of both, but the Mercury motors weren't by choice, they came on a boat, run OK and I left them there. If one failed, I'd most likely hang an OMC brand motor, unless a super deal came along for something else.

I've also found parts far cheaper for OMC than Mercury, but that too may vary depending on where you are located. I happen to have a really good dealer nearby that I've dealt with for many years. The closest Mercury dealer hasn't been around very long and don't stock any older parts and isn't too keen on ordering them. It also seems like Mercury obsoletes parts faster than Evinrude does, I've walked into the Evinrude dealer and gotten parts for motors well over 40 years old, but my last trip to the Mercury dealer couldn't even come up with parts for a 15 year old motor.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Repowering, cause I have to...............

650 out the door,for a good running eng.i dont see how anyone could say no.Mercury is a good eng ,I had a couple,the old inline goes back to before the 60's they just kept stacking cylinders on top.Do you have trim and tilt?do you want or need trim and tilt,its a great option,the Merc,if it has one will have a seperate pump assy.that is a pain in the butt.The guy will need to totally swap your controls ,including the cables,steering MIGHT be reusable,so your really getting the eng.cheap,Here in fl.Keys they are up to 125 an hr .My favorite eng ,under 85 hp is the 3 cyl OMC.60 65 or 70 ,they are great ,looped charged ,fairly light.If you decide not to go Merc.think about one seriously.Especially late 80's upThey had a better exhust system an larger cu in

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Repowering, cause I have to...............

OK, You are running in fresh water, so an older Merc will be OK. That 4 cyl inline will run pretty good. The previous poster was out of line on the weight difference. Mercs have very good weight-to-HP ratios. Let him compare the weight of the Merc 80HP motor to a OMC V4 of the same year.

You will need controls and electrics, you can adapt the steering and fuel system easily.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Repowering, cause I have to...............

Mercs have very good weight-to-HP ratios. Let him compare the weight of the Merc 80HP motor to a OMC V4 of the same year.
Chris,get some coffee.I simply said the 70 is fairly light.Didnt compare to anything.
didnt come back here for a pissing contest.Just wanted to let original poster know that depending on your yr.50 johnson,the lowerunit is a fairly needed part.The 48 50 55 and I think some 60 hps have a problem with gearcases.You can search this forum,I have seen quite a few blown cases and replacements are big $$ .Look on ebay ,hard to find one and especially under 700

 

[sloopjimd]

Re: Repowering, cause I have to...............

WOW! touchy subject....
As a person who works on enough outboards every summer to have an opinion then let me say this.I love evinrude/johnson
Nothing wrong with mercury. Just have had better luck with the rudes and johnnys (yes I know them all on a first name basis lol)

My concern is why this dealer is selling this motor so cheap in my neck of the woods $650.00 installed would get you a 25 hp around 1989 vintage?

 

[itsaboattime]

Re: Repowering, cause I have to...............

His shed wall is literally lined with them. I'll bet he has about 50 older mercs in there. He guarrentees it to perform. If I do this I will pay for a new impeller and carb kits.

 

[itsaboattime]

Re: Repowering, cause I have to...............

Mercs have very good weight-to-HP ratios. Let him compare the weight of the Merc 80HP motor to a OMC V4 of the same year.
Chris,get some coffee.I simply said the 70 is fairly light.Didnt compare to anything.
didnt come back here for a pissing contest.Just wanted to let original poster know that depending on your yr.50 johnson,the lowerunit is a fairly needed part.The 48 50 55 and I think some 60 hps have a problem with gearcases.You can search this forum,I have seen quite a few blown cases and replacements are big $$ .Look on ebay ,hard to find one and especially under 700

Really?? So I could possibly recoup some of my costs by parting out the old 50? I have never had an issue with the lower unit on that motor. good seals, gears and bearings. The only issue with the whoe motor is the lower cylinder. The carbs were rebuilt last year, new water pump assembly, strong charging system, new coils 3 years ago. I think I need to spend some quality time on ebay!!!

 

[crackedglass]

Re: Repowering, cause I have to...............

Around here, any good lower unit, one that's proven or guaranteed will run upwards of $500. I just went hunting for one for a four cylinder Merc 80, the best I could find so far was a rebuilt unit from a shop for $1500.
I instead hung an Evinrude 75hp that is a bit lighter, has an integral power tilt and trim, meaning I can get that Mercury tilt pump out of the boat, and so far seems faster, but its hard to say since I don't know how long the Mercury lower unit was failing.
I also like the fact that the Evinrude bolts on and not just a pair of top clamps.

I've had good Mercury motors and good OMC motors, but I have to say I've had more good OMC motors. I currently have a really good, reliable 1971 Mercury 65hp, but the fact that it's got a very expensive distributor and tune up parts makes me more than a bit concerned on longer trips. However, I would swap it in a heartbeat for an equal OMC 65 to 75 triple.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Repowering, cause I have to...............

yep,crackedglass brought up another point,your OMC has the standardized mounting bolt holes ,now used by all the manufacturers to avoin numerous holes in transomes.The Merc mounts with 2 clampstyle lke the smaller engines,BUT if it was done right ,should also be bolted with the holes provided ,however many dont bolt and only clamp,not a smart idea for a 80 hp.again 650 ,if you get a couple seasons ,your ahead,does it have the TNT feature?and yes,look on ebay,you might even try doing a search on here for guys that were unfortunate to have blown the gearcases,some had nice clean engines,but the cost of a reliable used lower made no sense when compared to a good used 3 cylinder ,that,most have a trim and tilt .TNT is a valuable option.The yr of that Merc also has some question.as said there are some ignition components that breakdown,and the wiring inside the engine comp.often becomes crumbly ,I guess its the rubber that they used.Take a good look at the motor,look at all the wires that go to coils and powerpacks etc.if its a nice clean motor,its a toss of the coin like all used engines.Spark compression and clean gear oil (if not changed,if seller just changed the gear oil ,ask why)the are your best immediate indications