tips please on buying an older 115 Merc

[stormmn]

A friend of mine has an older 115 Merc that was rebuilt a couple years ago, he is not sure of the year so is getting me the serial #. I have heard good and bad about these old in-line 6's, is there certain years to stay away from?

thanks.

 

[daveswaves]

Re: tips please on buying an older 115 Merc

A friend of mine has an older 115 Merc that was rebuilt a couple years ago, he is not sure of the year so is getting me the serial #. I have heard good and bad about these old in-line 6's, is there certain years to stay away from?

thanks.

There are no bad years per se. Post 1978 used ADI ignition (no distributor) and tends to be more repairable. Parts for the distributor type motors are getting harder to find and you really have to love them. Having said that, if the engine is in good shape ther is no reason to stay away from it. My daily driver is an old school inline 6 with distributor and it performs flawlessly.