Worth a rebuild? Opinions Please!

A

adesoto

Cadet
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
29
It's a sad day!
My motor is a 76 1150 and has low compression on #1 piston 30PSI, the rest have 115-120psi.
Motor rebuild will cost $1100, do you think it's worth to rebuild this motor or spend $1100 on a used running motor.

Some say that these lines of motor are great and if rebuilt will last.
Other say don't waste your time and just look for a running used motor for $1200-1500 dollars.
Your opinions on this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
 
MikDee

MikDee

Banned
Joined
Jun 6, 2007
Messages
4,745
Re: Worth a rebuild? Opinions Please!

If you're going to do it yourself, Yes, because you will get to know the motor real well, take more care doing it, and be able to evaluate it better. It's really not that hard, just take your time, think first before you act, and use common sense. The older motors were usually made better, because materials, michining, & labor, was less expensive then, and manufacturers cut less corners back then. If you're going to have it done, it may not be worth it. It's your call. good luck, Mike
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,074
Re: Worth a rebuild? Opinions Please!

Adesoto, If you do the work yourself, it will cost $150-$200, and may be worth it. If you cannot do the work, buy a newer motor,as something else may go wrong.

If you decide to do the work, replace the waterpump impeller and clean the carbs, and do the link and sync. Usually when #1 piston goes, it is due to cooling, lean fuel and overadvanced timing.
 
E

escapade

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 30, 2007
Messages
205
Re: Worth a rebuild? Opinions Please!

kinda looks like a do or die situation, you got 2 options rebuild yourself, or get a newer motor? personally i would rebuild it myself, just because i'm like that, however if you can't do it yourself, wouldn't recommend getting it done at a shop, just get a used motor
 
tommays

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: Worth a rebuild? Opinions Please!

salt or fresh water would be my number one question :confused:



As getting apart a saltwater unit of that age would be a killer :eek:


Tommays
 
A

adesoto

Cadet
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
29
Re: Worth a rebuild? Opinions Please!

My 76 1150 has only seen freshwater.

I was looking at replacing my motor with a 90's 115.. However below was why I should invest in rebuilding my motor.. tell me what you think. This was with 2 different mechanics.....

I was told that the 90's 115 is a 4 cylinder motor and because of this.. it doesn't perform as well as the inline six. That they run on only 2 cylinders under 2000 rpm to save gas.(I knew this already) The inline 6 has a greater span of power and torque than the newer motors that are being built today and was one of the best outboards ever made, nothing like that newer motor being built today. My Inline 6 is very much "worth fixing" as long as it's done right."
My mechanic is willing to bet if I would buy a used motor (90's and up Merc 115) in the long haul it will cost me more to up keep.
Thanks again.
 
Kajun37

Kajun37

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 17, 2006
Messages
348
Re: Worth a rebuild? Opinions Please!

your mechanic wants you to pay him to rebuild your 76 lol.......if you dont want to do the work yourself i'd say buy a 90's merc....
 
A

adesoto

Cadet
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
29
Re: Worth a rebuild? Opinions Please!

Well, why would he want me to rebuild my motor than buy a used motor from him?

Well, what is he talking about the new 4cylinder having less power than the 6?

Is he talking about low end torque power, the 4cylinder would move the boat faster (top end speed) than the 6 inline would right?

Does anyone know when the last year the inline 6 was built?
Thanks,
 
OldMercsRule

OldMercsRule

Captain
Joined
Nov 30, 2006
Messages
3,340
Re: Worth a rebuild? Opinions Please!

The old Merc inline 6s were the best fresh water relatively high power outboard motor fer water skiers EVER BUILT: Period.

I would look fer another runnin' inline6, n' keep yers fer parts. Here in the Seattle area you can score a good runnin' inline 6 without PT in the winter fer $300-500, n' pay a little more fer one with a good PT. Make sure the compression is even n' she runs real good prior to partin with yer $. NO SALT!!!!

They made acceptable, naw: GREAT inline6s from 1967 to 1988 or 1989. Earlier then 1967 they had points: NOT GOOD Mrs. Jones! The 950, 1000, 1100 n' 1250s were great motors!! The 950 n' 1000 were approx 90 cubic inches; the 1100 were 94, n' the 1250s were the first of the 100 cubic inchers that dominated the field 'till 1988 or 1989. They rated 'em at the prop beginning 1982, so the 82' 115 was the same as the ol' 140 in 1981, n' the 90 in 1982 was the same as the ol' 115 in 1981. I prefer the distributer fired ones like you have that I know they made to 1979 (as I have one).

They are loud burn lots o' fuel, (no more then other similar power engines), n' blow the doors off ANY comparable outboard from old ta brand new. Don't care what ya bring out to the lake you'll be lookin' at me stern if a put the ol' girl to the wall n' turn up the ol' RPMs. My $.02! (I only have one functional brain cell SO: caveat emptor) Good luck!! JR
 
OldMercsRule

OldMercsRule

Captain
Joined
Nov 30, 2006
Messages
3,340
Re: Worth a rebuild? Opinions Please!

I got a couple of PMs re this post. Let me try to answer the questions.

#1 I prefer the distributer type inline6s because I have only one brain cell, and I am an old fart n' I hate to learn new things if I don't have to. My son has a six coil rig (1981 115) so I will have to learn how ta fix those if and when it breaks. The distributer type has one reliable coil, a cd box and a trigger. The other has six coils that can go bad, (I believe two switch boxes, [could be wrong]), and a stator all subject to failure. I have not had to mess with them yet so I'm a little dense about 'em. (Fear of the unknown). The distributer ones scream and are very reliable (in fresh water where ya take care of the old girls.)

#2 The BEST place ta learn about these girls is right here on iboats. Read all the 900, 950, 1000, 1150, 1250, 1350, 1400, 1500, 90, 115, 140 posts as I did a while back and stay in orbit here from time to time. There are great non-iboat sites ta get drawings n' online parts lists that are stated in these posts. I don't wanna give ya a list as I want ya to buy from iboats. If ya read the posts I'm talkin' about here you will know as much as I do.

Good Luck! JR
 
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