1970 mercury 65 HP 4 cyl-bad piston

[QWXZAS12345]

ive just recently picked up my boat from the shop and the compression checked out to be 136, 139, 106, 133... #3 piston is burnt on exhaust side, spark is fine. i am going to put a new engine on this boat and was wondering if it would be dangerous to run this engine into the grave?? or if anyone thinks it would last long enough to make it worth it anyway??? well tell me what you think???

[Hooty]

boatyboat,Have you thought about just putting a new piston in? Any idea what the cylinder looks like? I just hate ta see one go to the bone yard if it's fixable.c/6Hooty

[QWXZAS12345]

well, the shop quoted me round 2 grand for the job. which seems like a gamble for such an old engine. i have another outboard, the exact same engine.. i didn't know if maybe it would be possible to swap some parts and get it goin...but still talkin about lots of labor. i'd do it myself if possible but im not exactly a mechanic...