Should I keep Merc 60 hp outboard for parts?

[JoeMan]

I've got an '87 Merc 60 with zero compression in the upper cylinder. I'm no mechanic, and the 2 Merc doctors in town agree that my plan to buy a '96 Merc 60 for 2 grand is a better plan than trying to throw possibly a lot of money to repair the '87. So that's what I'm doing. MY QUESTION. Should I keep the '87 around for parts? My brother has an '84 Merc 60 hp, and I'll have the '96 60 hp. How similar is the '96 to the '87 as far as the some of the components go, such as the computer brain, stator, and other expensive parts? AND...will my QuickSilver controls from my '87 work for the '96? BTW, the '96 is a Mercury Tracker, but I now know the "Tracker" name is just indicating that it was made for a Tracker boat. Thanks for advice in advance.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Should I keep Merc 60 hp outboard for parts?

personally i would want the newer controler, with the newer wiring harness,, right now you have a 20 year old harness, that is probably on the way to cracking insulations and the other problems they have. you can sell anything you have left over on Ebay, you'd be surprised what they pay for old parts. it will help cover the cost of the repower.