used motor to stay away from

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Mar 25, 2001
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45,907
Re: used motor to stay away from

Avoid Evinrude and Johnson FICHT V6s from 1997 to 2000. Mercury Optimaxes from that same period are almost as bad.

OMC carbureted engines are just fine.
 

freetime99

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Sep 11, 2007
Messages
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Re: used motor to stay away from

How about the more recent EVINRUDES ? the E-Tec's ?
 

Silvertip

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Sep 22, 2003
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Re: used motor to stay away from

E-tecs are fine as are the Opti's. But like anything else, an abused E-tec or Opti may be a worse buy than a well cared for older FICHT or Opti.
 

Silvertip

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Re: used motor to stay away from

It doesn't matter what you buy when you consider fuel economy. Any engine, two stroke, four stroke, EFI/DFI or carbed will burn roughly 10% of its rated HP per hour at wide open throttle. 200 HP = 20 gph. The actual number depends on the hull, load, water conditions, etc.
 

ezmobee

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Re: used motor to stay away from

You probably don't want a Force.
 

jeff_smith_0423

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Dec 5, 2007
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Re: used motor to stay away from

You would need to know the year to tell for sure without looking at it unless someone knows for 100% certain what years were/weren't FICHT.

Once you know the model year you can look it up at http://shop2.evinrude.com - the FICHT motors are clearly identifiable via the parts diagrams.
 

dingbat

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Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,883
Re: used motor to stay away from

what about the mer EFI ? are they real hard on gas

In real world operation a change from a carb motor to EFI sees about a 15% decrease in fuel usage. A change from carbed to 4 stroke or DFI sees about a 30% decrease in fuel usage.
 

Knightgang

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Oct 6, 2003
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Re: used motor to stay away from

Ok guys. I am not a moderator, but before one steps in, this was not a fuel issue, 2stroke vs 4 stroke thread. I may be jumping my guys, but lets stay on track...

But I will say this, fuel consumption is slightly improved by the addition of EFI or DFI. This was the case in autos EFI vs carb and it is true in marine applications. But you have to compare apples and apples. Larger boats, more HP and driving style all play a role in the mileage of any auto or boat. So, fuel mileage is what you make of it...really. I have never gotten the advertised fuel mileage on any truck I have ever owned. Maybe due to my driving style and usage, but advertised fuel mileage or comparable fuel savings is an illusion at best...
 

jeff_smith_0423

Chief Petty Officer
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Dec 5, 2007
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Re: used motor to stay away from

Wow. This really has gotten off track and this will be the last thing I will say.

JR, the information i posted re: Nissan/Tohatsu fuel consumption was intended to support your statements about fuel consumption. The data clearly shows a *mild* improvement over the carbed two stroke models that they replace. It doesn't show the 15, 20, 30% improvements that others are claiming. I figured that data provided by a manufacturer that clearly compared consumption across their entire product line would be beneficial to the discussion.

I have never insulted your intelligence in this or any other iBoats forum, and I would appreciate if you did the same for me in the future.
 

Frank Acampora

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Jan 19, 2007
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12,004
Re: used motor to stay away from

Actually, to sort-of get back on track: SOME 4 cycle outboard engines will not get some hullls on plane because of their inferior power at low to mid throttle. Remember, a 4 cycle engine has one power pulse per cylinder every other stroke while a 2 cycle has one each stroke. This makes for more useable power and torque with the 2 cycle in the lower RPM ranges. (Given equal HP ratings)

THAT is why MERC supercharged the Verado engines; Not for top power, but to improve throttle response and power throughout the rpm range..

So if you have a heavy hull and want to repower, you should think twice before repowering with a 4 cycle outboard, new or used.
 

bassman284

Commander
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Jun 24, 2006
Messages
2,840
Re: used motor to stay away from

Some day I'm going to get my hands on some of the smoke Old Murky is smokin'. Then I'll kick back in my Lazy boy and smile...
 

Big Pete

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Aug 12, 2009
Messages
192
Re: used motor to stay away from

Hi Guys

Seems you know a lot about outboard engines .

I have just brought a secondhand speedboat with a Mercury 80 on it as per pic.

Is this a good engine , its a 2 stroke dont know the year but pretty old..

is it going to give me grief or is it a good one ? :confused:
 

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ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: used motor to stay away from

Well Pete, that's a tough call not knowing its current condition, however, I don't believe there's anything inherently wrong with an 1980's 2 stroke 80HP Mercury. I would venture to say....if it has good compression, everything else can be fixed :)
 
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