1987 200 merc?

[duff]

does anyone know if this year motor had any major problems. found a 20 ft champion bass boat w/ 200 merc for a good deal. this would be a upgrade from my 87 challenger 17.5 ft bass boat with a 1979 80 hp merc? any thoughts or opinions on the 1987 200 merc?

thans duff

or about champion boats?

 

[andy6374]

Re: 1987 200 merc?

Take a compression reading. If ok, I'd disconnect oil injection and run a premix.

Some of them came with lean main fuel jets from the factory. On mine all my main jets are 0.002-4" oversize and the idle jets are 0.002" undersized (which mean more fuel).

Like any carb'd engine it will run great as long as some periodic maintance is performed. Keep the carbs clean and replace the waterpump every other season and you'll be golden.

 

[duff]

Re: 1987 200 merc?

what is a good ball park psi for each cyl. I know the big thing is to make sure they are all with in 10% but my 80hp has 140+ on all 4 cyl. if it is in the 100+ would that be good or should i be looking for something higher?

thanks duff

 

[duff]

Re: 1987 200 merc?

when i look this boat over i should check the hull for soft spots. the deck for soft spots. check the compression, check the L/U oil feel it for metal flakes ect..... wiring for good insulation. any thing else?

 

[andy6374]

Re: 1987 200 merc?

As long as your compression readings are withing 10%, you'll be fine. You'll find that different gauges will give different readings. A slight inconsistency amongst cylinders will more than likely be taken care of by performing a decarb.

As to other aspects of the boat..
-Check for transom rot. Tell tale signs are large cracks around any angles. WIth the motor tilted all the way up, lift up on the lower unit, does the transom flex?
-Sure step around and check for soft spots.
-Needing to rewire is almost a guarentee. 99.9% of the boats for sale I've looked at has had a spider web of unorganized wiring. Not to mention shotty connections at best.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 1987 200 merc?

When you do your comp test, be sure to remove all the spark plugs, pull the kill switch and open the throttle a bit. This will give you the best results. It will also be higher if the engine is warm. When the plugs are out, look at them for signs of aluminum, also, they should all look very close to the same. These old Mercs are great old engines if they were taken care of. Most Bass guys pride themselves on maintenance. I said "MOST", not "ALL"!