150hp

procraftmark

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 17, 2002
Messages
188
I was looking at a 1990 150hp force and was wondering how well these motors held upand if parts would be available for the extended future?<br /><br /><br />thnx<br />mark
 

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: 150hp

They don't hold up well at all. Be religious about annual de-carboning and make sure that water pump is good and healthy. Most parts won't be a big problem since it uses all the same internals as the 3 and 4 cylinder models, but crankshafts and blocks are going to be in very short supply. The Prestolite ignition system is also a weak point and those parts are rather expensive if you can find them (medium blue components). Hopefully you have the newer Mercury ignition system . More of those parts are still available.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,750
Re: 150hp

The 5 cylinder 150 didn't have the best track record.<br />94 and 95 models were a little better, but not much.<br /><br />The ignition system, with its blue coils and cd powerpacks, was a bad setup. Stator failure was common. And the old tilt and trim unit was troublesome. Parts are expensive, and some are no longer available.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,750
Re: 150hp

Wow, looks like you posted while I was typing.<br />Geat minds think alike. :)
 

Deerdog

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 31, 2001
Messages
115
Re: 150hp

I had one on an 89 Arriva. I did have to rebuild it in 94. I maintained it pretty well and it gave me few problems but what what was said above it accurate. The ignition system isnt the best and the carb setup requires constant attention. They also like starters. I put three on mine over a 10 year span. I got rid of my old 150 b/c it was going south gradually and I didnt want to put any more into it. I now have a 150 Optimax and man what a motor. I do have a friend who still has one on his boat and it appears to still run fine. He swears he does only minimal maint on it.<br />IM not going to badmouth it b/c it did give us alot of good times - it just required lots of TLC.
 

Downrigger

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 15, 2006
Messages
42
Re: 150hp

Originally posted by WillyBWright:<br /> They don't hold up well at all. Be religious about annual de-carboning and make sure that water pump is good and healthy. Most parts won't be a big problem since it uses all the same internals as the 3 and 4 cylinder models, but crankshafts and blocks are going to be in very short supply. The Prestolite ignition system is also a weak point and those parts are rather expensive if you can find them (medium blue components). Hopefully you have the newer Mercury ignition system . More of those parts are still available.
How do you go about the de-carboning? Just got mine last year and I have no idea if it's ever been done. She ran good all last year without a glitch (besides an impellar replacement).<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Larry
 
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