Which Merc would you buy? older 50 or newer 40?

[northernmerc]

I found a couple of Merc 2 strokes for an aluminum 18 foot fishing boat.

One is a 30 year old (late 1970s) 50 hp, 4 cylinder, with controls. It runs well, has good compression (125 or a little more on all 4 cylinders), and looks very clean, original, and not abused. It hasn't seen a lot of use for many years, so may be a low hours unit. Price - $1200 although I might be able to buy it for $1000.

The other one is a 1998 Merc 40 hp, also with controls. It runs well and dynos right on 40 hp. Price is $2200, not negotiable.

It seems likely that the older 50 (flywheel hp) and the newer 40 (prop hp) would be similar in power. Does that sound correct? Also, is one of these motors a better design than the other and less likely to give trouble? Do these prices sound about right for good running motors? Is the newer motor worth an extra $1000 or $1200? Which one would you buy? All opinions appreciated!

 

[redjmp]

Re: Which Merc would you buy? older 50 or newer 40?

$1000 is way too much for that old motor.
I don't care how good it runs. It will fail and let you down soon. Its a 30 year old motor. The rubber and plastic bits will all be failing as well as the wiring.
I don't think that motor cost $1000 dollars new!
Old 4 hole design.
Rated at the head.

The newer 40 is a 3 hole design and rated at the prop.

Much less likely to break down.