1984 Mercury 9.8 general questions

[brettmc]

I found this for sale locally and am thinking about looking at it to put on my mirrocraft 14' aluminum v-hull. I just bought the boat and don't know the weight but I can tell you it's just a stock boat with no mods such as decking. Anyway, are there any specific problem areas these year motors have that I need to look for? What is a the price range for this year and hp motors? Do these have hourmeters installed on them? The reason I ask is the ad says less than xx hours so I am wondering how he knows how many hours is on the motor. Any help or advice yall can provide would be most helpful. Thanks!

Brett

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: 1984 Mercury 9.8 general questions

There is not an hour meter. he is guessing the amount of hours, which is normal.
In my neck of the woods, 500/ 600 +/- bucks in good shape.
without doing a compression and lowerend check. it means nothing.

 

[brettmc]

Re: 1984 Mercury 9.8 general questions

Thanks for the reply. I know how to do a compression check but how do ya do a lowerend check?

 

[Maxz695]

Re: 1984 Mercury 9.8 general questions

pressure gage in the oil fill hole

 

[brettmc]

Re: 1984 Mercury 9.8 general questions

What? How? What does that accomplish?

 

[Maxz695]

Re: 1984 Mercury 9.8 general questions

it shows if it holds pressure than the unit will not leak and get water in it. That all points of leaks are properly sealed. Put a small amount of pressure into the unit if the gage holds steady for a minute or so the gearcase is sealed.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: 1984 Mercury 9.8 general questions

Just crack the lower end screw and see if water comes out. when the haven't be running for awhile water will seep out, if seals are bad.
You really can't expect the seller to go thru to much crap.???
But compression check is a must.

 

[brettmc]

Re: 1984 Mercury 9.8 general questions

I have done compression checks on street motors, mainly muscle cars I have owned or checking out to buy. That's what I meant earlier when I said I knew how to do one. Using what I know of street motors, I would think on a little 9.8 OB you would open the throttle all the way (using the tiller), pull it 2-3 times and check the compression readout??