Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

[Reg312]

I've posted a few times here on which motor would be best, and I understand that it depends on maintenance. And I don't just post and never buy, I'm trying to make the best decision I can by asking the knowledgeable. I did take the plunge on a 20' pontoon with a 40hp johnson, but now I need a motor to replace my 115hp Merc that #2 cylinder/piston shot craps.
So. My choices are a similar year 115 Merc for $400 with tilt trim and controls. A early 70's Chrysler 105 also with tilt trim and controls $800. OR a 1980 Evinrude 85hp with tilt trim & controls. The Evinrude comes with same year bass boat needing work, trailer, Trolling motor, fishfinder, anchor, etc. for $700. The Merc and Chrysler are "Supposedly" ready for water. The owner of the Evinrude seems quite honest and said needs impeller and carbs need cleaning. Did have it running on muffs but may need some other work. It's dead winter so starting a running probably not an option. I'm leaning towards the Evinrude with boat and trailer. So if the Evinrude does need work, would it be easier to work on it compared to The Merc or Chrylser.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

Scratch the Chrysler off the list. Why pay that kind of money for a motor you can't get parts/service for? The $700 bass boat with sellable parts on it sounds like a good deal to me.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

For $400 on the Merc - expect it to need at least what the Evinrude does, regardless of what the seller says. Buy a compression gauge and check any motor you're looking at prior to buying.

And, I agree on the Chrysler. Unless it's dirt cheap and you're willing to work on it yourself and to shake the bushes to get parts when needed, pass on it. Good enough motors, but it's getting harder and harder to find parts and people willing to work on them.

 

[Reg312]

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

Got a tester and I was thinking of doing a compression test before buying. May do the Merc just because I have a spare parts motor already. But think I might do the Evinrude as well because I've seen parts motors running $300 on CL and the trolling motor alone used should bring $150. If I'm not mistaken, the Evinrude should be easier and maybe cheaper to repair then the Merc??

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

If I'm not mistaken, the Evinrude should be easier and maybe cheaper to repair then the Merc??

From what I understand (and some personal opinion thrown in for good measure)....yes

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

The Chrysler being a 70s engine will really only produce about 90 HP at the prop. While it is a simple engine, very easy to repair, and parts ARE still relatively easy to find, you can't just go to a dealer and order them. Even for a running engine, 800 is a tad high. Were I selling my 1980 105 with power trim/tilt and controls, yes, I would be asking 800-1000 BUT---I would have put in a new water pump impeller, fuel pump diaphragm and changed lower unit gear oil. I would also mount it on the hull, set it up, and water test it WITH the buyer. I would also make right anything that failed not due to negligence during the first season.

Mercs ARE miserable to repair. They take a lot of cussing and swearing. Even minor jobs usually require a lot of disassembly and bolts are sometimes inaccessable. The "Tower of Power" inline sixes were known to melt the top pistons.

While I am a Chrysler fan, in this case I would also vote for the Rude--even though it is 30 HP less than the Merc.

 

[Reg312]

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

Hell Frank - I want to buy a motor of of you. I've done a lot of reading on the Chrylser and would love to try one some day, but not for an $800 gamble. As for the Merc, it wasn't to hard to tear apart, made all my own tools needed. When I went to look for a new block, almost every one had #2 cylinder scored. I'm guessing that poor fuel flow to the top carb causes this. I did notice the Merc running a little rough at idle but only a few weeks left in boating season so left it. LESSON LEARNED. I've heard OMC one of the easier engines to work on so will give it a try. I'm not a speed demon so the 85 should push my 16' fiberglass 25 - 30 mph. Thats all i need.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

Should do well on a 16'. This was mine http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Boat Project/?action=view&current=HoleShot.mp4

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

Mercs ARE miserable to repair. They take a lot of cussing and swearing. Even minor jobs usually require a lot of disassembly and bolts are sometimes inaccessable.

I disagree with ya on that as cussing and swearing is done by people not knowing tricks, having proper tools or inexperienced. Unless your a pretty good mechanic veer from the Chisler as parts,information,dealers and no one like to work on them(inexperience). Depending on the year I would also stay away from the Rude as the V-4 are not that good on fuel(pigs). I would stay with the Merc as till will be a pretty much bolt and go deal wheras the other you will ned to swap controls and cables...

The "Tower of Power" inline sixes were known to melt the top pistons.

Only from lack of cooling maintenance or improper timing as will all inline engines including Chislers...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

Evinrude
then Merc
not Chrysler

If you want to get there, get a Merc. If you want to get home, get a 'rude.
Buy a motor from Sears and Rowback.

 

[Reg312]

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

Looked at the 85 Evinrude today. Boat was trashed. Trailer was crap. Trolling motor was unbolted from boat and just thrown it. Controls look someone tried to remove without using any tools so they were torn up. Motor cove looked very sun baked. So --- I figure the boat look like it was in poor shape, the engine probably wasn't maintained either. So the hunt continues. I saw a couple, what looks like to me, mid 70's 3 cylinder 70ish hp evinrudes. They look pretty simple. I had one 20 years ago the ran great and moved my 16' trihull well enough for what i need it for.

 

[saumon]

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

As you're already having an identical engine usable for spare parts (including L/U, carbs and electronics), the Merc choice seems to be a no-brainer...

 

[cr2k]

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

The Merc 115s were good engines. Yes they did go hard on the top cyls, but can be resleaved. A merc is gonna have a few more screws and bolts to get all the outer stuff off, but just take it slow and it works out fine. It just knowing things like to pull a carb you don't start with the carb bolts or even close to them.

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

85 evinrude bro i had one (an 1980 btw) when i was a kid and i bet we put 1500 hours on it before my dad forgot to put oil in the gas and wiped it out never left us and wed run out 10 - 12 miles offshore at sunrise troll all day and hit the dock about dark 3-5 times a week 9 -10 months out of the year for 4 years it came on our 1976 mako 19 (still have the boat with a 140 now NFS) and theres no telling how many hours it had on it in 93 when we got it with a 13X17 it'd do 42mph WOT

 

[Tim Wagner]

Re: Merc, Evinrude, Chrysler.

I believe (and I know someone said it before) that a good outboard is one that runs. Dont matter what kind it is.