1978 mercury 85hp inline 4

[ljraffray]

I have my eye on a 16ft boat (bonito) that has a 1978 merc 85hp inline 4 on it. Anyone know a little about this motor and boat?

 

[12Footer]

Re: 1978 mercury 85hp inline 4

I know nothing about the boat, but the engine was a good (not great) design.<br />They are extremely reliable, but I think the engineer who designed the distributer ignition was smokin somethin.... Again,very reliable,but when the distributer rotor breaks, it really breaks! They have a tendancy to break loose from the dist shaft,and the rotor will stop rotoring,while the distrib shaft spins away,leaving you dead in the water,and the entire shaft and rotor assy must be replaced as a unit.<br />There are much worse engines out there, and if the price is right, go for it.

 

[ljraffray]

Re: 1978 mercury 85hp inline 4

Is there any way to help prevent this from occuring?

 

[12Footer]

Re: 1978 mercury 85hp inline 4

Well,there IS one thing. These units tend to have a sticky substance around the distributer at the base. Since these dists are mounted upside down (as oppsosed to normal), this goo can sometimes cause the rotor to shear...At least that's my theory.<br />You may want to open the dist up to see if any of this goo has run down into the dist cap. If so, clean it out. The only thin g I found that would cut this stuff is carb cleaner, and it doesn't work that great.<br />When you get the cap cleaned-out real good, you can re-seal the cap (you do want to keep it waterproof), using RTV or other sealer. <br />Just be carefull not to let any of it run down inside, causing the same problem.<br />If it is clean allready, just put the cap back on ....At least, you checked.

 

[ljraffray]

Re: 1978 mercury 85hp inline 4

Thanks soooo much for the assistance given... since I am as green as grass with this, any information that you give me at this point is very much appreciated and can only help our society that we all live in! HA HA

 

[12Footer]

Re: 1978 mercury 85hp inline 4

First boat? You'll find it is an expensive passtime, but man,is it fun.Both getting them ship shape, and using them.<br />Welcome to the best site on the web.and also to Waterworld.

 

[ljraffray]

Re: 1978 mercury 85hp inline 4

Since I will be needing to purchase some accessories for the boat, (glove box, gauges, fuel tank, seats, etc...) do you know of a good/cheap online store that I might be able to shop?

 

[12Footer]

Re: 1978 mercury 85hp inline 4

One of the cheapest and most complete scorces, is the mega mall link at the top of the page. They got all the stuff you mentioned.