Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

[64osby]

I have a lead on a Starcraft with the above listed I/O set up, 1975.

I have outboards, but the only experiance with I/O's is from 35 years ago. My dad would buy a boat for vacation and then sell it. Never winterized an I/O.

I tried seaching the site but I can't get 165 to pull up, (I seem to be search challenged). Mercrusier pulls up and I see every style ever posted.

Looking for some input towards reliability, parts availability, is it a good set up.

I have seen postings stating the 470, 4 cylinder is not a good motor to get, so what's the scoop on the 165 hp 6 cylinder and the MC 1. is it or or

 

[solar7647]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

It's an inline six, I have herd it run good but parts can be hard to come by. The MC1 is pre alpha drive, again believe parts can be hard to come by. Give it a google search, all kinds of things come up.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

You have the very best combo merc ever made for reliabilty.

I just ran the snot out of mine last night, still keeps purrin'.

The MC1 is a dated unit, but with proper maint, and upkeep, you will not have a problem. Also you can find scrap boats cheaper than a drive rebuild.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

Oh, and parts availability, engine you will have no problems, BARR marine makes an aftermarket manifold for 600. The drive is still servicable completely with exception to the trim sending unit. But when it quits, do without it.

 

[mike165]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

I have a 20' tri hull with the 165 mercruiser 6 cyl in line 250 ci Chev known as the stovebolt motor mc MC 1.65 drive runs like a swiss clock super super reliable only problem was blocked exhaust riser when I first got it not letting the water exit fast enough easy fix for $160.oo
hope this helps there is plenty of info on the net

 

[skipper2b]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

I have the merc 165 in my house boat and its been very reliable. Its a chevy 250 ci inline six cyl. parts are readily available,this engine is known for longevity and good fuel economy.

 

[64osby]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

I looked on the web for parts, looks like lots available, just a matter of $$$$.

Looks like it gets a rating so for. Thanks for the quick responses.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

Now if we could just find some cheap mods to get it closer to 200 hp we would really be in business.

 

[kilowatts]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

Hi Guys:

Mercuiser actually produced a 200HP inline six, but only for one year,1969! I don't really know why they discontinued it other than it apparently used a lot of gas and it seemed to be a little overly complicated. Apart from that, in my opinion there are no upgrades to make the MCM 165 get more HP. Non of the "improvements" I've seen make any sense to me as they all seem to be aimed at hot-rod cars and are not appropriate for marine use. This is only my opinion as I'm completely satisfied with my 165.

kilowatts

 

[ziggy]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

You have the very best combo merc ever made for reliabilty.

that's where i'm at too. all the other good comments are in order too.

i'm on my 2nd (2 different boats) 165hp L6. both mated to a mc-1. both were/are very good set ups.

i would highly recommend this engine drive combination.

as noted though. if yer wanting to build up your engine for more hp. the L6 isn't the way to go. it is what it is. torquey, reliable, stump puller. but ya can't make it more than it is.

 

[mike165]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

There is a 292 ci truck motor same bore longer stroke all the bits inc head bolt straight up rated 195 HP same reliability

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

There is a 292 ci truck motor same bore longer stroke all the bits inc head bolt straight up rated 195 HP same reliability

Are you for real?????? So I can aquire one of these and bolt it up?

 

[mike165]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

Are you for real?????? So I can aquire one of these and bolt it up

I have a complete 292 in my workshop came out of a old Chev truck it's my next project

Ask he who knows all Mr Google they are easier to find in the US than Oz

 

[ziggy]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

Are you for real?????? So I can aquire one of these and bolt it up?

i'm not convinced that the 292 will bolt up. the 292 was only mated to a mercuriser II drive. a 250 was always mated to a mc-1 drive.
if it was just a simple matter of R&Ring the 250 to a 292, i think a lot of folks would be doing so. i don't see that happening..

 

[kilowatts]

Re: Mercrusier 165 (6 cyl) & MC 1 outdrive, Good, Bad, Ugly?

Hi Guys:

If I might make a few comments with regard to the elusive 292! I've been wanting to bolt up a 292 for some time now and I'm convinced it's easily done. I think the issues are:

(i) Height of new block and clearance issues both for the boat and the electrical harness
(ii) Height of block and exhaust pipe extension required
(iii) Lack of "ears" on the new block for motor mount
(iv) Different motor mount placement
(v) Suitability of a pre-alpha water pump to supply enough cold water to the system
(vi) The 292 uses a lot of gas

I think the issues are easily solved but the last 2 are what's kept me from going forward. I'm so happy with my L6 250cu in 165 as I feel it's ideally matched to my boat that I can't quite see the utility at this time. I don't want to spend more money on gas, for obvious reasons, and I'm not sure the impeller will provide adequate water flow to cool the bigger block. It would be nice to have the "bigger six" though!

Perhaps someone who knows for sure whether the issues I brought up are indeed correct could comment? There must be a reason Mercruiser didn't use the Pre-alpha outdrive.

kilowatts