1988 150 Mercury Black Max

[Nos]

I'm looking at a Bass Boat with a 1988 150 Mercury Black Max. Started up fine, but is there anything that I should look for/be concerned about with this motor.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 1988 150 Mercury Black Max

Check the compression and check the lower unit fluid. Feel out the owner for how he treated the motor and did he do the maintenence or was it done at a dealer? Does he have reciepts for the work? And definitely take a test run on the water, if not iced over. If he hesitates on the water test, move on! Others should have more comments. Good Motor!....

 

[Nos]

Re: 1988 150 Mercury Black Max

Thanks for the info Rick. The current owner has replaced the seals and did a complete maintenance on the lower end when they were done...apparently last year.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 1988 150 Mercury Black Max

NOS: Welcome to the forums.<br /><br />I just purchased a 1987 1800 SF (glass) Bass Tracker with a Merc 150 last fall. Im the type that likes to get to know my equipment and perform maintenance on my own equipment, to me this is a very straight forward, solidly built easy to do maintenance on engine. I had to have a stator put in it, but it runs smooth and strong. I dont think they have any more problems that usual as I have known several people with these engines and they have very little trouble with them. I know now though that they do not normally like to be trimmed to far under when idling or accelerateing, I think it has something to do with the floats in the carbs.

 

[Dead Eye]

Re: 1988 150 Mercury Black Max

I have a 88 Blk max on my 18ft center console. Strong motor. I did replace the water pump, poppet valve, and rebuilt the feul pump. If you have good comp. I would spend a little time ( not alot of money to do a few fixins} adding new parts to an older motor. I bought mine a year ago and it runs great!!<br /> Dead Eye

 

[KCLOST]

Re: 1988 150 Mercury Black Max

You are looking at a good motor... Take the advice rick gives, especially the compression....<br /><br />I'd also check the spark on all the cylinders, you can buy a spark gap tester at an auto parts store. If they are all good, that will ensure that the electronics are in good shape...<br />If you need help doing that test let us know...<br /><br />Also, since the previous owner replaced the seals on the lower unit, check to make sure that the prop shaft is not bent... Turn the prop and check for any wobble at the end of the shaft....<br />Good luck...

 

[Nos]

Re: 1988 150 Mercury Black Max

Thanks for all of the info guys.....Really appreciate it. Compression test came up good and even on all cylinders. Nice to see that people don't mind sharing information!