New to Mercs:1984 Merc 150 vs 91 merc 115 info?

searsnathan

Recruit
Joined
Nov 13, 2017
Messages
2
New to the board and looking to buy a used motor for my boat. I've narrowed it down to a 1984 Merc 150 black max that is extremely clean that has never seen salt water 115psi on all 6 cyl and a 1991 115 that has been in salt water and has 120psi on all 4cyl and was supposedly rebuilt in 2012. Both engines run very well and seem to be issue free. I am new to Merc motors so any help would be great. Just looking for info, dependability, possible issues with the 2 and what's a better motor. Also what year was the black max the same from what year to what?
Any information will be helpful.
Thanks in advance.
 
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Dukedog

Captain
Joined
Oct 6, 2009
Messages
3,235
tha 2.0 150 is justa 'bout as bullet proof as any outboard can get when it's kept properly.. same basic design from '77 till it went away sometime in tha mid 2000's....

would have a very hard time buyin' any used (unknown) salt water motor but that's jus me.....

​"black max" is justa V6 badge that came from marketing.... started in '76.. sounded cool at tha time jus like XR4/XR6 etc... don't know for sure when it went away.. maybe late 90's..
 
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jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
12,944
The 150 is the better motor design. There is more to engine condition than compression. Myself I would take the V6 over the 4 cylinder looper any day.
 
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