1988 Mercury 150 Blackmax XR4

[firemarshal8]

I just purchased this boat that has been sitting for five years. Cleaned up nice, got the steering cables unfrozen in the tubes, rebuilt the carbs, and some other cosmetic repairs. What other stuff should I do to ensure I'm gonna have a good day on the water? Change lower unit oil, change water pump? Also it seems to be missing the battery tray for the trolling motor batteries, any ideas? The guy that owned it before was old school and removed the oil injection, seems this may be a common practice. I understand it is 50:1, how about ethanol issues? Should I add marine stable gas everytime or just when I put the boat away for the season?

 

[j_martin]

Re: 1988 Mercury 150 Blackmax XR4

I just purchased this boat that has been sitting for five years. Cleaned up nice, got the steering cables unfrozen in the tubes, rebuilt the carbs, and some other cosmetic repairs. What other stuff should I do to ensure I'm gonna have a good day on the water? Change lower unit oil, change water pump? Also it seems to be missing the battery tray for the trolling motor batteries, any ideas? The guy that owned it before was old school and removed the oil injection, seems this may be a common practice. I understand it is 50:1, how about ethanol issues? Should I add marine stable gas everytime or just when I put the boat away for the season?

LU lube change is an inspection/PM item. If it's been sitting for awhile, I'd service the water pump for sure. Impeller at least, maybe more after you get into it. Put a fuel pump kit into it if you haven't yet.

Mix yer fuel at 50:1. It'll burn 87 gasohol, but unless you run the tank through in a couple of weeks, it's better to put non-oxygenated fuel (usually 91 octane off road gas) in it.

That's a pretty hot motor right out of the crate. About 160 at the prop and a skinny LU if it's still stock, and they push a bass boat along pretty well.

hope it helps
John