'76 50HP Merc 4 cyl or '74 50HP OMC 2 cyl ?

[RIGGS]

I was given my mother inlaws pontoon boat which I am in the process of re-doing... along with it came with the 1976 Merc FOUR cylinder 50HP (500) with many many hours and a few issues that I can fix.

HOWEVER today I scored a 1974 Johnson TWO cylinder 50HP with LOW hours on it that a fella was going to use for a race boat (but he died) so now I acquired it.

In your "opinion" whats a better outboard for the pontoon?

'76 50HP Merc 4 cylinder

'74 50HP OMC 2 cylinder (short shaft)

More power?
Less issues?

Thanks for any help-
Riggs

 

[emckelvy]

Re: '76 50HP Merc 4 cyl or '74 50HP OMC 2 cyl ?

The 4-cyl will be a much happier (and smoother) idler. The 2-cyl, as I recall, is loop-charged and might have a bit more torque and be slightly more economical at speed.

Main thing is condition, the low-hours motor might trump the Merc but you may ultimately need to run one then the other to decide which one you like better.

IMHO if you're gonna spend a lot of time just idling the pontoon boat around or very low-speed cruising, the Merc's gonna be a lot easier to live with. Big difference in smoothness between 4 itty-bitty pistons going 'round vs. 2 large oil cans rattling around in there!

Besides, Phantom Black beats Medium Green any time!!!!!

HTH & let us know which one you choose.........ed

 

[RIGGS]

Re: '76 50HP Merc 4 cyl or '74 50HP OMC 2 cyl ?

Thanks for the input...

SO what I might do is run the OMC for this summer and "restore" the Merc back to perfect (mechanically & even cosmetically) for next season???
Thanks again-
Riggs