Should I buy this motor?

[INDYCAVER1]

A guy near me has a 1975 mercury 850 outboard with controls and tilt and trim for $650. I went to see it yesterday and he couldnt get it started, but he says its starting now its got fresh gas. I noticed the wiring on the motor was all cracked and some wires were even bare. The tilt trim moved it up and down, but is there any way to test it to make sure it will hold? How hare would it be to rewire the motor? Also, it was a 6 cyl. I thought 85 hp are usually 4 cyl. Could it be a 100 hp powerhead on a 85 hp base? I just need some advice, cause i dont know enough about them. what else should i look for.

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: Should I buy this motor?

Its an inline six, "tower of power" type motor, very good motors, if cared for.
Parts are around, and some may break the bank. Yes you can rewire the harness. As for the trim leaking down, leave it up, and come back an hour later, and see how it held.
Now as for you buying it, its far from me to gaze into a crystal ball, and tell you yes or no. If your not familar with the inline six's, and are not prepared to
learn all about them, then I'd say pass. However if you are prepared to learn, (this forums an awsome place for that) and perhaps, spend some more money, other than the purchase price then you might want to buy it.
ahhhh..... but if you DO consider buying it, then you should do a few other checks on the motor, besides the trim.
#1 compression test on cylinders
#2 check gear oil in bottom end
#3 pull and inspect the spark plugs
#4 physically inspect the bottom end for signs of visits with submerged rocks etc
#5 look over the distributor cap, for cracks, etc (very pricey items 100.00 400.00)
#6 look over the powerhead for signs of mechanical work ( rounded bolt heads, or unmatching bolts in covers, missing lead lock plugs etc etc)
#7 the person selling it, is he/she trying to dump a lemon?
Good luck and let us know your choice.

 

[INDYCAVER1]

Re: Should I buy this motor?

ok, i really dont mind learning a new setup and plan on doing most of my motor work myself, just a little nervous though. so its not unheard of to have a 6 cyl 85 hp. I thought I just saw a 85 hp on ebay that was not nearly as tall the the one i looked at. So would anyone be upset if I asked to to all of that before i bought it the motor. Id hate to make the guy think i dont trust him, but dont want to buy a pos either. Ive really got to think about this one. Id love to have this type of motor, but i dont have to have this particualr one.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Should I buy this motor?

lF YOU CAN'T DO A COMPRESION CHECK ON THAT ENGINE DON'T BUY IT.
You are the Buyer
BUYER BE WARE.

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: Should I buy this motor?

If the seller won't let you do a few, "tests" then move on.

 

[BullyARed]

Re: Should I buy this motor?

Don't buy it. It will be a money pit.

 

[turtles11756]

Re: Should I buy this motor?

does the serial # on the face plate match the # stamped on the block of motor ? take the cover off the motor and look at the #'s, that price is way high

 

[alwims]

Re: Should I buy this motor?

does the serial # on the face plate match the # stamped on the block of motor ? take the cover off the motor and look at the #'s, that price is way high

At least 2 to $300 too high.

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: Should I buy this motor?

At least 2 to $300 too high.

Price depends upon the shape and the buyer. In my case I paid much more than 650.00 for a 1961 FGS 800. mind you, it's compression was 130 across the board, it had a new dis cap, rectifier etc, the wireing was not cracked, paint was in good shape and it had sat in storage for 35 years, after being traded in for a smaller boat and motor package at an evinrude dealer. The dealer , of course didn't want to be seen selling merc's, nor did he want to use it on his own boats, so he kind of forgot about it, untill he started to liqudate all of the bussiness. I now have it on a 1964 areoliner 16' boat, and the motor still delivers the looks, sound and of course speed, that was the trade mark of the early mercs. So price is based upon what a purchaser is willing to give, not just a number picked out of the air.

 

[INDYCAVER1]

Re: Should I buy this motor?

Well, that motor sold to someone else. I dont know for how much. I am still looking for something along the same lines. at least now I know what to look for and check before buying. Ive got my eye on another 1981 merc 115 that looks in alot better shape, but its more money. Maybe Ill check it out. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Should I buy this motor?

A 1975 Merc 850 is a 4 cylinder inline motor with battery CDI Distributor Ignition. There were 6 cylinder 85HP inline motors in the 1960s.

If it is a 70's inline six, it was a minimum of 90HP, or a max of 150HP. Yeah the motor wiring harnesses are all rotted out by now. Replacements are easy to get, but cost $100 or a bit less.

 

[INDYCAVER1]

Re: Should I buy this motor?

Ok, maybe the guy had the year wrong. I didnt take the time to check the #'s. I guess I should have.