Worn motor advice

[aoist]

Hi all<br />I have a 1980 Mercury 80hp outboard with low compression on one of the three cylinders. It will some times sputter and or die when coming off idle, but once I can get it into higher rpm, it runs well.<br />My question is this, is this motor worth saving? And if so, what are the options for a most economical repair? <br />Thanks <br />Tom

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Worn motor advice

If everything else is in good shape sure rebuilding is still cheaper tha a new engine. Cheapest repair, replace 1 piston, rebore the bad cylinder, deglaze the rest and reassemble. lowest cost repair I would do, measure wear on all cylinders, rebore bad cylinder(s), replace any piston needed oversized, deglaze the rest and install new rings on all. Best repair, rebore all holes, replace all pistons and rings, bearings and whatever else is needed

 

[aoist]

Re: Worn motor advice

Say jimbbo what kind of expenditure are we talking about--- in cold cash terms?<br />Tom

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Worn motor advice

a 1980 80hp is a 4 cylinder not a 3 cylinder as ststed in your first post. I don't know what parts cost in the US. The Merc gives it's dealers flat rate books, at least they used to.

 

[MercMark]

Re: Worn motor advice

My 85 hp was $150 per pistion plus $50 to per hole to bore.<br /><br />...plus gasket kits<br />...plus seals<br />...plus water pump kit tp protect new parts<br />...plus plus plus<br /><br />that's parts and machine work only. If you're playing labour to have someone do the work it's going to be expensive.<br /><br />A remanufactured powerhead is $2500 and comes with three months warranty. So if your repair approaches that, just get a reman.<br /><br />All in CAN$

 

[mbb]

Re: Worn motor advice

If you have a $400 motor and spend $1500 on a rebuild, how much is the motor worth? answer is $400. Make sure it is a motor you want before sinking any more into it. I had an 1980 90hp a few yrs ago, wiring was fauling apart and badly oxidized, a few other minor things too like leaky trim hoses ($200 to replace). It was time to bail. I really did like the motor though, but didnt want to sink $ into it.