Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

[TwoWatt]

Hi all.<br />I have a non-running 71 Mercury 500 (50hp). It came with the boat when I bought it, never tested, who knows how long since it's ran. <br />I know parts for this motor are quickly becoming obselete (they don't make the dist cap anymore).<br />Anyways, I took it into a backyard Joe shop, he was telling me someone he knows has a 70's 50 hp evinrude that he would trade me, my $300 & motor for his motor. I trust my mechanic enough to believe the motor in trade is in good order. <br />Is there anything special about the mercury that I would be nuts to trade? <br />I just want a working motor. He said evinrude parts are still readily available. <br />Also, on the merc, since it's never ran, we don't even know if it will go into gear & move once we do get it running. <br />Should I?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

I wouldn't pay more than $300 TOTAL for a 70s 50hp evinrude. I would sell the motor you have on ebay, either complete as non running, or part it out, and then buy another motor.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

So...why don't you hook a battery that 500, put some muffs on it and see if it will crank over. I love my 73 Merc 500...very bulletproof if taken care of and maintained properly. Do the usual stuff, compression check, spark check, lower unit check, etc. Might take you an afternoon, but it should give you an idea of whether its worth keeping or whether you should take ZmOz's advice and sell it whole or in parts. I agree with his price advice.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

That's another thing...I can almost guarantee you it would take less than $300 to get your Merc running...and it could only take a $4 part. Alot of the parts are no longer manufactured, but they will still be available for a long, long time. Mercury made millions of those things...

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

Obviously I know nothing about boat engines.<br />I did have it a certified dealer first. When I brought it there, the timing belt was dry rotted off. They replaced the belt, still couldn't get spark. Then we found the dist cap no longer was being made. This dealer suggested I get rid of it. They also told me the lower unit was 1/2 water, 1/2 oil.<br />They said, once we do get spark, who knows what kind of problem we'd run into getting fuel. Then when they did get the motor running, who knows if it would even go into gear & move. <br />So I took it too this guy as a last resort. He said the starter is out for sure. He also said a new rotor alone was $100 (which I knew about).<br /><br />If you all suggest I continue on & try to fix it I will.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

Those motors are great when they're in good order. Sounds like that one isn't in good order. It would be nice if you could find a parts motor. Monetarily you might be better off going with the Rude. You'll have to change the controls and everything. If you have gauges, some may not work with the Rude. The mounting bolt pattern is different, so you'll have to fill some holes. Cheapest way is to cut a wooden dowel pin 1/2" shorter than the transom is thick and silicone it in there. If the wood around the hole is rotted, drill it bigger. Make sure you have the right version...short or long shaft.

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

Any other thoughts on this ? I really up in the air about this. <br />I thought.... 'I'm not worried about having a running motor now, it's nearly winter" Maybe I should bring it home, buy a manual & learn about the motor" It'd be a valueable learning experience (considering what mechanics charge)<br />I could find parts needed off ebay. <br /><br />I thought about it this way too. Why is this guy so interested in my old merc? I know the compression is good on the engine. The motor is clean & in good condition. The prop is clean. <br />The prop does turn freely. <br /><br />Anyone ? Bueller?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

If you want it for a learning experience, go for it. Buy a manual and check around for used parts when practical. They're common motors. Made those in one form or another for a long time. As you spin the prop, give a listen. If it sounds rough, then it'll need new bearings. Most of the maintenance related parts are fully available. Cosmetic parts are not.<br /><br />The guy probably wants to fix it up and use it or sell it. $300 plus your motor as sort of a core doesn't sound like a bad price to me. But if you fix yours, you know what you have. Anytime you get something used, you may be inheriting it's problems.

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

$300 plus your motor as sort of a core doesn't sound like a bad price to me.

Me neither. If I can verify I am buying a good engine that runs & moves then at least I'm starting at a good place. I can then learn about the maintenance aspect on a working motor.<br /><br />I will probably take the drive out to the mechanic tonight & see what they have to offer.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

Yeah, if you really don't want to get into your own outboard repair/maintenance you might should take the E-rude and do the swap. If this guy is going to be your mech, I would try to swing a deal that the $300 and your Merc includes some routine maintenance/repair that might encounter in the future with the E-rude. if he's a square guy, he'll be glad to get some more regular business...especially if the E-rude is any count.<br />On the other hand, if you like turning wrenches consider keeping the Merc, buying a manual and spending some time with it this winter. If you discover its really thrashed, you can sell it whole or in parts and still get another outboard.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

Forgot to add...I was in a similar situation as yours 3 years ago when I bought my used Ebbtide 15ft bowrider with a 73 Merc 500. Knew absolutely nothing about boats or outboards. Took me a year and $350 to get the Merc in top shape again, thanks to a good mech and a service manual. I did most of the work. I had to replace the dist. cap (ebay), replace some of the wiring under the cowl, replace the fuel pump and rebuild carbs, $50 for a link&synch on the carbs/timing, and $150 to have the lower unit resealed and pump/impeller replaced. Yours may be worse or better. I'm glad I went through the process though. That and this and other boards have taught me a bunch. I'll run the Merc till it dies and then consider another oldie but goodie to replace it.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

Anytime you can switch a non-running motor for a running one for $300 IS A NO BRAINER. A stinking MANUAL will set ya back $50 alone. I just paid $300 for an ALTERNATOR...go for it (ya want junk to play with, stop by my dogpatch with a trailer)

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

Some things that shouldn't change your mind, but are worth considering:<br />The Merc is a 4 cylinder engine where the 'Rude is a 2 cylinder engine. The Merc has much more low end torque, and the 'Rude is a little strident.<br />The 'Rude may be hydro-electric shift. That's not the bad electric shift you may have heard about, but if the engine doesn't come with controls know that a new set is going to be used and probably a little expensive - find out how much they're going to be before you buy.<br /><br />Generally, I prefer the older OMC engines to Mercs, but that's a personal prejudice!

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

Originally posted by Robby6950:<br /> Anytime you can switch a non-running motor for a running one for $300 IS A NO BRAINER. A stinking MANUAL will set ya back $50 alone. I just paid $300 for an ALTERNATOR...go for it (ya want junk to play with, stop by my dogpatch with a trailer)

You can find one of these motors easily for under $300, total cost. Why not just go out and look for one somewhere else? Your motor right now is worth at least $200, so you're paying $500 for a 70s 50hp Evinrude. I would consider that a rip off...

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

If it were me, I would repair it, but then I am able to do that. Getting another motor isn't a horrible idea, but I don't like the sounds of that trade. The mech is probably a decent mech, but at the same time he is a mech, and he knows he can spend a day on that merc and fix it. Then he can sell it for profit. It would not be difficult to get that Merc running, but if you don't want to mess with it, find another Merc of similar vintage, or another brand with the controls. Then You can sell the merc for parts or tinker on it, get it running, and have a good backup motor. I am very confident that the merc can be brought to running condition easier than it is made out to be. Starters can be rebuilt, carbs & fuel pumps can be rebuilt, caps & rotors can be found cheaper than you think, lower units can be easily resealed.

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

Thanks everyone for showing me both sides of the fence. <br />The reason the guy was offering me the trade was because he thought I would be interested in just trading for a running motor & be done with it.<br />I talked with the mech Saturday & we both agreed it would be worth fixing up. He said the compression was so good on the motor that'd it be worth fixing.<br />So that's where we are. He's got the motor turning over, but still no spark, so that's where we are at now.<br />I'll post back if indeed we get it running & at what cost.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

i have a 72 evinrude 50hp with new lower unit, water pump and rebuilt carbs that runs strong. wanna trade?

 

[Dave74]

Re: Should I trade Mercury for Evinrude?

does the evinrude 50 make more or the same power as the chrysler 55? mines a 1969 runs great... just curious..