early merc 140 value

[Exotic4x4]

Hey guys found a sweet craigslist deal today bought a 1978 merc 140 complete minus starter and flywheel, has coupler tho with it, guy removed it from his boat thought to be a bad head gasket but found out to be the freeze plug popped out the back by the flywheel. This motor has low hours I scored it for 100$ :+) head was pulled he thought the head gasket was leaking then noticed it was the freeze plug, should I overhaul this and sell it? Or what's ot worth as is? Also forgot to add he just replaced the motor with another boat he had that a tree fell on during a storm. I think I did rather well on this find its clean and the motor is free yet been sitting for 2.5 years

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: early merc 140 value

Well I would check the block and compression ...those arent freeze plugs but casting plugs....the reason it popped out is because the engine froze....if the block is undamaged probly worth 400 - 600 in my parts."..running that is

 

[Exotic4x4]

Re: early merc 140 value

The engine didn't freeze it happpend in the middle if July in Wisconsin 100 degree air temp probably. and I know its for when they cast it to get the sand out, but the"" freeze plug"" popped or rusted out as I stated causing water in the bilge. ;-)

 

[achris]

Re: early merc 140 value

The engine didn't freeze it happpend in the middle if July in Wisconsin 100 degree air temp probably. and I know its for when they cast it to get the sand out, but the"" freeze plug"" popped or rusted out as I stated causing water in the bilge. ;-)

That's what the PO wants you to believe? That 100 degrees 'pushed' the plug out of an engine that was is designed to run at 180 degrees, with about 15psi of pressure in the system. I wouldn't believe it for a micro-second!!!

BTW... It's not a freeze plug, it's a core plug, and that don't 'pop out' without something pushing them, like frozen water! And as the core plugs in a marine engine are brass, will not have rusted out either. Be VERY VERY cautious with that block. It WILL be hiding something evil....(like a bloody great crack running stem to stern!!!)

 

[Exotic4x4]

Re: early merc 140 value

I've looked on 2 of my motors I have brass core plugs one the.side of the block and for some reason the rear of the motor the 3 core plugs by the flywheel they are a steel or tin core plug. They're magnetic. Yes I put a magnet on the plug...NOT the block that's why I started this thread I can also post a pic of the RUSTED core plug that was half popped out

 

[Bondo]

Re: early merc 140 value

Ayuh,... In the condition you found it,...

It's worth exactly what ya paid for it....

the only question is,...
If ya pour some money into it, can you recoup it,..??

 

[achris]

Re: early merc 140 value

I've looked on 2 of my motors I have brass core plugs one the.side of the block and for some reason the rear of the motor the 3 core plugs by the flywheel they are a steel or tin core plug. They're magnetic. Yes I put a magnet on the plug...NOT the block that's why I started this thread I can also post a pic of the RUSTED core plug that was half popped out

That's because those ones are not water jacket. They'll be things like end of the camshaft bore, or oil gallery, but NOT water.... ALL water core plugs in a marine engine are brass or stainless...

 

[Exotic4x4]

Re: early merc 140 value

Your mistaken...they are water jacketed plugs........your incorrect my merc book shows them as water jacketed core plugs ill post a pic tomorrow

 

[Exotic4x4]

Re: early merc 140 value

Motor was torn down Sunday, got it mag'd at a motor machine shop. No cracks of any kind. Crank and cylinders look very nice ill probably just polish the crank and get new std bearings for it. Along with new rings for the pistons got a hell of a find on this engine I think , very low hour unit,was just curious about the mixed matched core plugs on it and why 1 rusted out randomly.