mercury or evinrude ?

[greasemonkeyjmj]

I have a 73 omc 50 horse and a 76 mercury 50 horse. I know 50HP is supposed to be 50Hp but not getting into prop swapping and all the rest, which would be the best power for a 16 ft fiberglass bassboat ?

 

[JB]

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

opcorn::fencing:

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

The OMC.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

Wait a minute - What am I saying? The Merc.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

Oh goodness. I'm arguing with myself. Use the the one that runs or runs best. Like you said 50 horses is 50 horses. Neither one is "best".

 

[greasemonkeyjmj]

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

I think a lot of the answers on going to be based on personal choice. One thing going for the merc is that it is already rigged on the boat.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

The considerations that I can think of.

1. Parts availability. I'd take a look at a couple of sites that sell outboard parts and check for parts availability.

2. Engine condition. Does one engine run better, have better compression, etc.

3. Everything else being equal, if the boat was already rigged for one or the other I'd go with what the boat's rigged for.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

I've always heard the mercury 50hp motors were really good. I'd suggest rewiring it. Those old wires are the weakest point on those old mercs that will give trouble and ruin expensive parts. They can look good on the outside, but be corroded green crunchiness on the inside. The spot where the wires come out of the connnector and makes a big bend can be suspect in particular.
I don't know which I'd choose without looking at it, comparing compression, overall condition, etc. Normally I'd go with the OMC but the mercs are not junk motors, especially after 1976. My mercs over 20hp actually start easy when cold---something the smaller mercs don't seem to be as reliable on. (just my experience). The good thing about the '73 OMC is that it's not hydroelectric shift and therefore easier to find parts for the lower unit.
My recommendation is to judge both motors on their compression, and what each motor needs to get it in totally reliable condition, and go with the best one.
JBJ

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

I forgot to add my 4th point:

4. If at all possible go with OMC 'cause everybody knows they're better.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

If you want to get there, get a mercury. If you want to get home, get an OMC.

Seriously, although it's a lot like a Ford v. Chevy debate, there is the reputation that the Mercs are great when they are running but they can be temperamental; the OMC is more of a work-horse less subject to peculiarities. But that's opinion.

One thing that is fact as mentioned is the wiring; I have a 1972 Merc and found the same thing. Especially around salt.

Another important factor is driven by your location: are there people who can work on old Mercs? Or old OMC's? To me, maybe based on my experience here, is that it's very hard to find someone who can work on the old mercs. And despite all the good info and advice from the internet and books, there is no substitute for a guy who simply knows them, and can feel what's wrong with yours.

I'd stick with the one that's on it unless and until it starts acting up. "If it ain't broke, fix it until it is"

 

[greasemonkeyjmj]

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

thanks for all of the input on this. but a bit more info. this will be the second time i have owned the merc. the first time it had sat for 13 years when i bought it. the boat it was on had a bad transom, i replaced the transom and updated the rest of the boat. when i got to the engine, i was suffering from the normal mercury wire rot. i went rhought the wiring and replaced what was bad. the previous owner had parked it due to what he thought was carb problems, it turned out to be a power pack problem, so i replaced it. i took the previous owner fishing in it, and he made me a offer on it, so i sold it back to him. he has never removed the cover from it since he pulled it home, and that was 5 years ago. so i do know the merc doesnt really have many hours on it, and has good compression. the johnnyrude i have owned 3 times, i recently replaced the powerhead due to the rings coming apart on the top cylinder. i like a omc engine, but it seems like every other time is use it, something goes wrong with it, and i am kind of getting fed up.as far as finding someone to work on them, I normaly do it myself, if I hit a snag, i have a ex mercury dealer tech down the street from me, that gives assistance when needed.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

Can I vote for the mercury, then....

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

Sounds like you are leaning to the Merc. You just about talked yourself out of the OMC up there. ^^^^^

 

[matt167]

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

Merc is smoother running, better sounding and better looking, but the OMC will be a cheaper motor to repair, and more of a workhorse

 

[Chris1956]

Re: mercury or evinrude ?

That Merc is a 4 cylinder inline engine that was manufacturered for decades, because it was so good. OMC only made that twin for a couple of years. Go with the Merc.......