Is '73 Merc 115 worth fixing & keeping

[stevejeri]

A friend recently gave me a boat with a '73 Merc 115 inline 6 on it. I went to a local marine salvage to get an impellar for it, and the guy that owned the salvage and a mechanic both said it wasn't worth having; they make good boat anchors; you need to give it back to the guy with a sympathy card; etc. They said they don't work on them anymore because they aren't worth fixing. I am going to be using a boat every day to make a living, so I was wanting some other opinions as to if I should fix it up (needs new brushes for power trim motor and lift rams rebuilt, could use a new wiring harness). It runs fine,(hard to start first time, but after that does fine).

Should I keep it or find a dfferent motor?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Is '73 Merc 115 worth fixing & keeping

Steve, You will probably not find someone to work on it for you. Initially, you may need to replace the waterpump impeller, clean the carbs, set the spark timing replace the harness ($100 at Surplusunlimited.com), as a minimum. If you cannot do these maint items, you might give it to someone who can. If you can do thiese things, buy a manual and have at it.

That motor was a good design and had great midrange power. The PTT was a bit fragile, but serviceable. Are you sure it needs brushes? That is a lot of use, if so.

The best first step is to check compression. If the motor has at least 100PSI and all cylinders are pretty even, it is repairable...

 

[stevejeri]

Re: Is '73 Merc 115 worth fixing & keeping

Steve, You will probably not find someone to work on it for you. Initially, you may need to replace the waterpump impeller, clean the carbs, set the spark timing replace the harness ($100 at Surplusunlimited.com), as a minimum. If you cannot do these maint items, you might give it to someone who can. If you can do thiese things, buy a manual and have at it.

That motor was a good design and had great midrange power. The PTT was a bit fragile, but serviceable. Are you sure it needs brushes? That is a lot of use, if so.

The best first step is to check compression. If the motor has at least 100PSI and all cylinders are pretty even, it is repairable...

Definately needs brushes. I took the cover off the TT motor, and the brushes were laying in the inside, and neither was attached to anything. And when I turned the knob on the TT unit to engage it, fluid ran out of one of the rams. I don't know how tricky it is to rebuild those, but if it doesn't take any special tools, I figure that a mechanic friend and I can figure it out. I don't know who has done what to it over the years. I can do the work on it though. My thinking was that if I have to spend $600 to $800 on it and have it somewhat like new, that is better that $8000 for a new one.