Switching Evinrude to Merc

[kitebuz]

Apart from the Ford/Chevy debate, what am I looking at to do this?

I currently have twin '89 Evinrude 120's (vro disconnected). They have been great engines for the 3 yrs I've owned the boat. I have been casually looking around for slightly newer & bigger engines, and have found a pair of carb'd Mercury 150's (an '02 & '03) for pretty short money. The '02 was rebuilt w/ 25 hrs on it.

I'm just trying to figure out what all I would need to change out w/ the newer motors. Hole patterns should match, and I think I am ok w/ on-center measurements.

I believe I can change out the fittings on my control cables from evin. to Merc for the throttles & shifts.

I'll need a Seastar Hyd. stearing cylinder, which should work with existing helm. I will also need to add the remote oil tanks, which I have room for under the transom cap.

Is there a pump for the oil tanks that needs power, or is the pump on the engine?

That leaves gauges & electrical:
- can I use the existing tach's & ignitions, or should I plan on just changing everything, including a new wire harness?

My goal in the change (apart from just less hrs), is to get a lower rpm cruise and slightly more efficiency. Right now at 3900rpm & 27mph, I burn @ 18gph. At 4100rpm & 31mph, it jumps to 25gph. I'm thinking with the bigger props/pitch on the 150's, I could cruise @ 30mph at @3500rpm, and burn maybe 16gph. Does that sound about right, or am I in left field??

Let me know if I am missing any big ticket items as well.

Thanks.

 

[yorkserv]

Re: Switching Evinrude to Merc

After looking over everything that you have listed seems to me that you have everything coverd A local hydraulic supply will change out the ends on your shift and throttle cables but they are not to expensive probably 100 dollars for all four. As far as gauges you can use the existing ones the wiring you will need to use a mercury harness that I also just purchased I purchase the mercury marine 84-816626A2 and out of the research and help from this forum you will also need mercury part number 84-86396a 8 to adapt from the mercury tach plug to your standard tach and gauges. The remote oil tanks do not need anything but a flat surface to be anchored to no electrical needed the motor does the feeding for you.

 

[kitebuz]

Re: Switching Evinrude to Merc

Thanks, York. Would you mind sharing about what the wire harness cost? I will need to add water pressure & temp gauges, so might just update the tachs at the same time - I'll have to look into the time/cost of the adapter vs putting Merc gauges in as well.

Good to know on the oil tanks, and hydraulic fittings.

I appreciate the part #'s. Did you do your own rigging - if so, how was it?

 

[yorkserv]

Re: Switching Evinrude to Merc

Not a problem I really have been helped out alot on here so the little knowledge that I do have I do not hesitate to give it out.

As far as cost I purchased a new Mercury Console mount Controller, Mercury gauges (Tach, Water Pressure, Temp, Volts, Fuel), Wiring harness and shift and throttle cables for 690.00. Gauges arent that expensive to be honest the controller was close to 200 if i am not mistaking and the harness is about 120 but it sure does look good on the console

I called my mechanic yesterday to ask about the 5 pin harness and he advised to cut it off and wire straight in, i have wire identification off the harness

Gray-Send tach
Prpl- 12vdc
Black-Ground
Tan- Sender Temp Gauge.

With these wires you eliminate the plug and one less thing to corode and drag down the voltage giving false reading.

Yes I did do all the riging myself and to be honest it looked intimidating at first when all the wires were everywhere but once I made up my own little wiring diagram and started from one side of my center console to the other it was pretty easy. Just took me about a whole day due to heat shrink, and assuring that I was not going to strip any of the wiring with vibration on the clamps i am using inside the console and making it all look very clean.

Good luck and hope this helps let me know if there is anything else i can help out with.

 

[kitebuz]

Re: Switching Evinrude to Merc

Good to know it is a do-able dyi job.

Makes sense to wire direct vs the plug.

What is different between an OMC & Merc gauge - say a Tach for example? It seems like Teleflex sells gauges that work for both, as long as you get the wires right.

Nothing like a little quality time inside the console...

 

[yorkserv]

Re: Switching Evinrude to Merc

No difference just has a name on it i do believe that all tachs come with a pole adjustment for each motor it should come with the directions in the Tach box.

Yeah defentetly spent some sweaty time in there but man it looks good as soon as i am done installing the stereo system i will post the pics the entire boat looks great.

 

[kitebuz]

Re: Switching Evinrude to Merc

I'll look forward to seeing your finished pics. Thanks for the input. I'm due for some inner-console quality time soon as well...