Mercruiser 110 hp

[mccurtis]

I am looking at a 1967 Starcraft Holiday that has a mercruiser 110 hp engine. Are these motors easy to find parts for? Are they reliable? The motor appears to run well and the compression is 130 psi across the board. Is the motor powerful enough to pull a skier? Should I consider changing the motor to a larger one? Which I am not opposed to as I like the boat. I would appreciate your imput.

Thanks ..... MC

 

[ncnjeremy]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

That is a good engine. Just a bit old. Sounds like its in good shape. But ya never really know with something that old unless its been rebuilt (And you know it has for sure) Parts... yes. Im a merc man so I'm gonna say yes they are reliable. As long as everything checks out. And yes you can pull a skier with a 110. I like a little more power on the mercruiser but overall a good engine.

Hey,,, if it don't work out you can always put ya a ob on there!!!! hehehe

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

I am looking at a 1967 Starcraft Holiday that has a mercruiser 110 hp engine. Are these motors easy to find parts for? Are they reliable? The motor appears to run well and the compression is 130 psi across the board. Is the motor powerful enough to pull a skier? Should I consider changing the motor to a larger one? Which I am not opposed to as I like the boat. I would appreciate your imput.

Thanks ..... MC

Ayuh,... That motor 'n drive are Antiques,...
Many parts are less than easy to find...

Spend alittle more, 'n buy Newer...

 

[mccurtis]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

The boat is in good shape. Is it worth putting bigger/newer engine in it?

 

[ncnjeremy]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

The boat is in good shape. Is it worth putting bigger/newer engine in it?

Absolutely, if YOU like the boat and its in good shape, get it.. If it runs well run the engine till it dies. As stated above it is very old. Also some parts will be hard to find. Your basics, like plugs and things won't be a problem. So get the boat if you like it and don't pay any attention to the motor. All while devising a plan to replace the engine with a... outboard!!!! Man, Im gonna get it for that comment for sure!!! hehehe

 

[mccurtis]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

Is it hard to change an inboard to an outboard? Why do you like outboards so much?

 

[ncnjeremy]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

Not really... And for several reasons. I find them much easier to work on, Wayyyyyy easier to swap out. There is just a lot less to them then i/o. But that is all preference. And I want to make sure that is noted!! lol. There are several that prefer i/o over outboards. Oh, they look very sexy also!!! Cant beat the look of dual outboards on a boat!!! MAN it looks nice!!

 

[thumpar]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

The outboard might look good until you watch someone on the lake try to hook a ski rope up. I laugh.

I would not buy a boat with the intentions of changing is later. Even if it is free you will spend more. The only time I would change a much is if I was really attached to it. If the boat is a super deal and works just buy it and run it until it dies.

I have no problem pulling a wakeboard with my 120 merc and would think a little less would work also.

 

[TomB985]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

The outboard might look good until you watch someone on the lake try to hook a ski rope up. I laugh.

Interesting that you would say that. We skied for years off of one of the stern cleats on my parents '89 Starcraft. Took 30 seconds to hook up...not much time for laughing.

Just curious, what engine is this 110 HP Merc? Did they use the 3.0L back then?

 

[mccurtis]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

I don't know. My 1971 Islander has a 3.0 in it.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

I just bought a '73 Holiday with a tired 120 in her, and the drive has problems for sure.
Looking at replacing the drive, all seals, hydraulic pump, fuel lines, some of the wiring.

Comparing parts cost and possible additional issues, I concluded that buying another junk boat with a fully functional powerplant is going to be cheaper and easier than the repairs.

Found an '86 with a 140 3.0 that I think I can get pretty cheap, maybe $1500 with a galvanized trailer w/ new tires and wiring.
The hull is rough, the interior is rougher, the engine and drive seem good.
Hoping for a test drive later this week or next.

So far I only have $350 into the Holiday, so I have some room to work before the overall cost is too much.

 

[ncnjeremy]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

I just bought a '73 Holiday with a tired 120 in her, and the drive has problems for sure.
Looking at replacing the drive, all seals, hydraulic pump, fuel lines, some of the wiring.

Comparing parts cost and possible additional issues, I concluded that buying another junk boat with a fully functional powerplant is going to be cheaper and easier than the repairs.

Found an '86 with a 140 3.0 that I think I can get pretty cheap, maybe $1500 with a galvanized trailer w/ new tires and wiring.
The hull is rough, the interior is rougher, the engine and drive seem good.
Hoping for a test drive later this week or next.

So far I only have $350 into the Holiday, so I have some room to work before the overall cost is too much.

Smart move.... If you absolutely love the boat fix/modify her!!!!!!!

 

[grzzzz]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

I just restored a 66 Holiday with a 110. You have to find this out the hard way but the 110 is almost identical to the newer 120s. My parts boat was a 120 and i now have basically a 120. The 110s came mostly with the Al manifold which is lighter and smaller but they only did them a few years. I could never get it to seal well. I converted over to the cast manifold from the 120. Works fine. I am told the only real difference in the 110 to 120 is carburetion? That is what I am told. It seems to be the case. Every part I swapped over fits and looks identical. But believer me these old boats have been so worked over I recommend checking the block #s. I have been fooled many time about year and models. I bought a 110 for parts and found the only thing that was a 110 was the valve cover that said 110!! It was a 76 120.

You will not find a trail that connects the two in parts books or suppliers. You just have to take the leap of faith and look at diagrams and connect the dots. Again, I have not found a single part that was not interchangeable between the 110s and the 120s ..... that are all over the place.

Grzzzz

 

[ncnjeremy]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

I just restored a 66 Holiday with a 110. You have to find this out the hard way but the 110 is almost identical to the newer 120s. My parts boat was a 120 and i now have basically a 120. The 110s came mostly with the Al manifold which is lighter and smaller but they only did them a few years. I could never get it to seal well. I converted over to the cast manifold from the 120. Works fine. I am told the only real difference in the 110 to 120 is carburetion? That is what I am told. It seems to be the case. Every part I swapped over fits and looks identical. But believer me these old boats have been so worked over I recommend checking the block #s. I have been fooled many time about year and models. I bought a 110 for parts and found the only thing that was a 110 was the valve cover that said 110!! It was a 76 120.

You will not find a trail that connects the two in parts books or suppliers. You just have to take the leap of faith and look at diagrams and connect the dots. Again, I have not found a single part that was not interchangeable between the 110s and the 120s ..... that are all over the place.

Grzzzz

Was the carbs the same also?

 

[mccurtis]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

So is it cheeper to revamp this holiday or not? It appears the 110 is a good motor and I may just want to use it or forget the whole thing and buy a newer boat.

 

[ncnjeremy]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

So is it cheeper to revamp this holiday or not? It appears the 110 is a good motor and I may just want to use it or forget the whole thing and buy a newer boat.

If you reeeeeally like it. Yes get it. Its not gonna be cheaper to get that boat and change out the motor for sure, but if that 110 is in good shape and that is enough HP for you then scoop her up!

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

...Just curious, what engine is this 110 HP Merc? Did they use the 3.0L back then?

The 110 was the first use of the 2.5 litre block (later the 120). The first use of the 3.0 litre block was 1968, as the 140hp. You can just pull the 110 and a 3.0litre will drop into the same hole. You would have to modify the transom cut-out very slightly (widen in the centre and a couple of new holes at the top)....

Chris.......

 

[grzzzz]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

necjeremy

To the eye they were. Bolt up...yes. The guy that helped me rebuild them said the jets were different but not surprised. On any given weekend I can be on lakes at 8000'+ down to 2500'. Sounds like trouble but I have a high altitude card and a low altitude card for which way I want to go on that weekend. I find it easier than adjusting the card when I get to the lake. When I get to the lake, it's fishing time!!

Grzzzz

 

[mccurtis]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

Is the 3.0 a good motor to upgrade from the 110 hp or would it be better to go to a 6 cylinder? V6 or inline 6?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Mercruiser 110 hp

The 3.0 might be best. If you go to a different motor you will have to change motor mounts and probably a lot of other stuff. If you want a different motor I would look for a different boat unless this boat is special to you.