1978 Mercury 402 "Mercurys Mistake"?

[fordv840]

Hi all,<br />New guy to the forum here, been on the water since I was 2. I recently picked up a boat that has a 78 40hp 402 and I went to the local Mercury dealer to get some parts and he says that this motor was "Mercurys Mistake" and should never have been made. Its a complete piece of junk and that he is surprised it still runs. I know this motor that I have has run flawlessly for at least the last 3 years with very little maintenence done to it. Is this true about this motor? I have never owned this model Merc before. Anybody else have any experience with it? <br />Thanks,<br />Jay

 

[Scali]

Re: 1978 Mercury 402 "Mercurys Mistake"?

I heard the rap was it was the worst of Merc's 40 horse motors because it was only a 2 cylinders, I dont think it was a total POS though

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1978 Mercury 402 "Mercurys Mistake"?

The 402s were an embaressment to alot of dealers they weren't a very smooth idleing engine and ussally went on starter boats or inexpencive package deals that some hotrod salesman pushed down someones throat as the best thing since whipped cream, so there are alot of bad feeling out there about them, but with good mantaince they lasted quite well. Bob

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 1978 Mercury 402 "Mercurys Mistake"?

with the exception of the starter mounts on the electrical models, i dont see a problem.<br /><br />its light weight, simple lay out and easy to work on.<br /><br />omc made/makes a 2 cylinder 40hp for 30+plus years, and counting.<br /><br />i have one in my garage that i had to replace the starter mounts. whole motor only weighs 150 lbs.<br /><br />great power/weight ratio.<br /><br />if you dont want yours, send it to me, and ill have twins

 

[fordv840]

Re: 1978 Mercury 402 "Mercurys Mistake"?

Thanks for all the responses, I like mine as well but I was surprised by the reaction of the parts guy. He was a bit of an A** anyhow. Mine is on a 64 Duracraft that a friend of mine owned before me and had no problems with it. I just had to rebuild the starter, but thats about all its needed. Thanks again,<br />Jason

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 1978 Mercury 402 "Mercurys Mistake"?

keep the motor tuned and in tip top shape so it starts as quickly as posible, cause if those starter mounts break off, you have to replace the entire crankcase

 

[fordv840]

Re: 1978 Mercury 402 "Mercurys Mistake"?

Thanks thats very good to know, I didn't think about that but I did notice it when I removed and reinstalled the starter.

 

[Scali]

Re: 1978 Mercury 402 "Mercurys Mistake"?

I had an Evenrude SPL 50 2 banger I thrashed for 2 years, I knicknamed it the rattlebox.<br />It wasnt a bad motor & chaper then the 3 cylinder 50's..<br />Nice & light..