Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

[glocklt4]

I'm looking at a 2005 Sea Ray 200 Sport w/ 50 hours. The owner says it has: a 200 HP V8 MCM 5.0 Litre Mercury MerCruiser Thunderbolt V Ignition Alpha drive. I am a chevy car guy and this is going to be my first boat, so I don't know anything about this engine and if I need to run from it or not.

I know that the Alpha isn't as good as a Bravo, but I think it'll be fine.

Also I think that it's 220hp and not 200, correct?

What does MCM stand for?

How reliable is it and all of its electronics compared to the other Mercs offered on Sea Ray?

Thanks!!

 

[glocklt4]

Re: Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

Trying to buy this weekend, no one knows about this engine?

 

[Don S]

Re: Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

It's a 305 Chevy engine, set up for marine use. Only about a ka-zillion of em out there. Been in use since 77 in one form or another.

 

[glocklt4]

Re: Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

It's a 305 Chevy engine, set up for marine use. Only about a ka-zillion of em out there. Been in use since 77 in one form or another.

Ok, thanks. So it is carbed, but what does MCM mean?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

This can't be a cheap boat. Want to have peace of mind? Not make a mistake?

Have it surveyed best money you can spend before you buy it.

If you don't than you have only yourself to blame.

 

[glocklt4]

Re: Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

Oh yes, definitely going to have that done. I am having a problem trying to find one for Tyler, Texas though for Saturday. But before even considering that, I am just trying to be sure that this engine is a good one.

Can anyone help find a boat surveyor for Tyler, Tx? I am having no luck searching at all...

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

Ok, thanks. So it is carbed, but what does MCM mean?

Mercury Marine or something like that. It doesn't describe the engine or its particulars, if that's what you are concerned about.
And in 2005, no 5.0 was rated at just 200hp. As stated above, if it's a carbureted engine its rating is 220hp.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

http://www.marinesurvey.org/index2.html

 

[JustJason]

Re: Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

MCM stands for Merc Cruiser Marine
MIE (just incase ya want to know) is Mercury Inboard Engines (or engineering)

Its not that and alpha is not as good or worse than a bravo, its just an alpha is designed up to a certain horsepower (300) and then bravo(s) take over on engines above that mark. There's more alpha's in all their variations out there than there are bravo.

 

[glocklt4]

Re: Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

ok great! Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it. I think I'm going to pick her up Sat morning

 

[glocklt4]

Re: Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

http://www.marinesurvey.org/index2.html

Cool, thanks for the link. Found one person that would be able to do it, but $252! That's more than a house inspection!

All the other places said they are a month behind. And another said he wouldn't even survey it since it was a Sea Ray and those are bad quality! Crazy...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

Ayuh,...

Do you know any Mechanics who are also Boaters,..??..??
Or Boaters who are Mechanics,..??

 

[glocklt4]

Re: Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

Ayuh,...

Do you know any Mechanics who are also Boaters,..??..??
Or Boaters who are Mechanics,..??

I don't know anyone near Tyler, haha. I have rebuilt an engine on my corvette and have always done work on my own cars, so I consider myself a pretty good mechanic. May take me longer to do something, but I'll get it done .

I guess if I have to, I could take a comprehensive list from you guys and do all the checks myself, but I wouldn't know any of the "gotchas". I am confident that I could tell if the engine is ok though. Still trying to find someone at a marina that could do it though. No one I've talked to so far wants to do compression checks. I may ask the sellers if I can do that and bring my gauge and tools.

 

[glocklt4]

Re: Is Merc 5.0L 200 MCM a good engine?

Finally found someone! They will do a check of all the systems and also a leakdown test on engine for only $45. Nice!