Questions about '87 Blackmax175

[MarshMan73]

I'm looking at buying a boat from a friend of a friend that has a 1987 Mercury Blackmax 175HP motor on it. It has been sitting for several months and when I went to see it all it took was a few pumps of the primer bulb and it fired, but died on the first 2 starts. On the third start it stayed running smoothly, water was a little slow out the peehole, but then picked up strong after a minute. Revved it up a little and it sounded peppy. Brought back to idle and it idled down smoothly and had some blue smoke appearing normal to me compared to my Johnsons. He has had it for several years and says all he has had to replace besides maintenance stuff like water pump and lower unit oil has been the powerpack. My question is what kind of life and reliabilty can I expect out of this motor? I know nothing about a Mercury, didn't even know how to get the motor cover off!! I have always been a Johnson owner and have repaired many a Johnson motor for my friends or myself. What can I expect to look for when I get it home? Any information Nyone can give will be appreciated greatly.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Questions about '87 Blackmax175

If it's oil injected, the first fuel was probably mostly oil. Sounds normal to me.

You can expect somewhere between 1 1/2 minutes and 20 years of additional life.

It's a hot rod 2 cycle, no guarantees.

hope it helps
John

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Questions about '87 Blackmax175

OH?

a 175?

where is it?

 

[MarshMan73]

Re: Questions about '87 Blackmax175

It's currently used around the New Orleans area.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Questions about '87 Blackmax175

That's a little drive from St Louis area,

But I would be sorely tempted

That 175 is just what the Dr ordered for my 18' F&S (another Big Sigh)

 

[MarshMan73]

Re: Questions about '87 Blackmax175

So these are pretty good motors then? Just asking because I don't see many of these motors here.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Questions about '87 Blackmax175

Change the impeller and T-stats every other years.

Always use a quality TCW-3 oil and FRESH fuel.

Warm it up EVERY time you start it, even if it has only been turned off for just 10 minutes.

Conservative use of WOT, get it on a plane then pull back to a comfortable cruising speed.

It could last you a lifetime.

Or as John said, it could blow up in the next minute.

They're Great motors.