1987 Mercury 80 HP - Reliable? Experiences?

[matcor9925]

I'm looking at buying a 1987 Mercury 80HP from a guy off of Craigslist and wanted to know if anyone has used one of these motors. Wanted to know a couple of things specifically:

1. Is this a reliable motor?
2. Is there anything special I need to check before purchasing (other than the normal compression check and lower unit fluid)?
3. Are they easy to maintain? Parts easy to find?

I bought a 1998 bass tracker a few years back and the original motor (Force outboard) has been giving me all kinds of issues - I just want a reliable motor, something that I can take friends/family out on that will not leave us stranded.

Thanks for looking.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 1987 Mercury 80 HP - Reliable? Experiences?

The 1987 was first year for this motor and is a ok motor. Plenty of parts still around and its the smaller bore engine(71.1 ci). All the 1987 motors in this line are not real smooth at idle due to crankshaft firing order(1-2-3) which was changed in 1988 to (1-3-2). If the price is right and it checks out on compression(100psi or above and within 10 psi of each other) and lower unit(no water,milky or grey oil with coarse metal shavings)passes it may be a good deal. I myself would find a later model(94 up) as they went to a bigger bore(84.6) and have a little more grunt on low end and little better on fuel...