85-90 HP Merc-She blew!!! Any Options?????

nightstalker

Chief Petty Officer
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Dec 10, 2003
Messages
570
She was running great and then, wham, bam, clang. Smoke all over the place. Got towed back to port and did a compression test. Cylinder 1=50, 2=70, 3= 90, 4,5,6=120. They want $4,500 for an engine exchange. I can't see putting that kind of $ in an engine that old (do you agree?). Any other options, or do I just deep six it. She sits on an 1985 19' Aquasport CC (no trailer). I figure I couldn't even use the rig for a trade.<br />Stalker.
 

Scali

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Dec 18, 2004
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299
Re: 85-90 HP Merc-She blew!!! Any Options?????

she lasted 20 years, aint bad
 

nightstalker

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Dec 10, 2003
Messages
570
Re: 85-90 HP Merc-She blew!!! Any Options?????

Yeah, that's what I figured. She doesn't owe me anything. It was a great engine. She ran well right up until the end and then gave up the ghost with no suffering.<br />Stalker
 

Clams Canino

Commander
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Jan 10, 2004
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2,179
Re: 85-90 HP Merc-She blew!!! Any Options?????

Depending on how fond of the motor you are - you have plenty of options. For example, I rebuild inline 6 powerheads at the rate of one a week - evey week. And I'm not the only one.<br /><br />That quote you got was high - by any standard.<br /><br />-W
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 25, 2004
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28,103
Re: 85-90 HP Merc-She blew!!! Any Options?????

Nightstalker, Nice work, I was only able to blow up two cylinders (number 1 and 3). You got all top three.<br /><br />Seriously, a rebuilt powerhead for that motor will be $1-1.5K. That price is to have one drop shipped to your door. You (or someone) will need to "pull" the old one, strip off the parts to be reused (carbs, ignition, starter, fuel pump etc) and install the rebuilt powerhead. Then you (or someone) will need to make sure the carbs ar clean and adjusted, anf the ignition timing and controls are synchronized properly, or the rebuilt powerhead will likely "blow up". Any idea why the original blew up? Waterpump and lean fuel mixture are likely culprits.
 

nightstalker

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Dec 10, 2003
Messages
570
Re: 85-90 HP Merc-She blew!!! Any Options?????

Chris 1956:<br /> I thought the same thing. The gas is premixed at 50 to 1 and I didn't see anything clogging the water ports on the skeg. I checked the gas to be sure and it had the oil mixed in it. I never heard an overheating alarm go off.<br />Stalker
 

Scali

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 18, 2004
Messages
299
Re: 85-90 HP Merc-She blew!!! Any Options?????

but maybe it's best to make sure she aint rusty before replacing the powerhead, good advice though just trying to add a little 2 cents
 

MortenH

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 4, 2005
Messages
126
Re: 85-90 HP Merc-She blew!!! Any Options?????

I would have opened it and checked how bad the damages are. I have just finished rebuilding a 84 115HP I6 - she runs like a dream now. I had never done any job on an outboard before I started this rebuild, but with help from iboats and Clam!) I managed well.<br /><br />-M-
 

MGuckin

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 10, 2001
Messages
760
Re: 85-90 HP Merc-She blew!!! Any Options?????

New rebult powerheads are available thru this website at just over $2000. Not a bad price. Figure that plus maybe half a days work.<br />Rebuilt powerheads show up on a regular basis on eBay for $1000 or less. We are not allowed to listed specific links so you will have to do a search yourself. <br />Keep in mind other powerheads may bolt on without modifications. Quite a bit cheaper than a new motor and you know you can always get help here with any problems you have doing the changeover.
 

nightstalker

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
570
Re: 85-90 HP Merc-She blew!!! Any Options?????

I'll have to think about the new power head angle. I'll let you know what I decide and how I make out.<br />Thanks<br />Stalker
 
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