82 Mercury 90 hp - good model, year?

[merc]

I found a clean motor and tilt for $1,500. Does anybody out there have anything good or bad to say about this type? I hear they made this model for 30+ years. Thanks for any help.

 

[Trent]

Re: 82 Mercury 90 hp - good model, year?

That price is way to high. Actually worth about half that.

 

[Walter]

Re: 82 Mercury 90 hp - good model, year?

Merc...<br /><br />Mercury's inline six has been around for a very long time (since 1957 or so...) However, I wouldn't buy that 90 hp without first giving it a good inspection(including a cylinder compression test). If it's both mechanically and cosmetically sound...I don't think $1500 is too unreasonable...but I'd try to negotiate...

 

[Terry H]

Re: 82 Mercury 90 hp - good model, year?

Merc...$1500 is a lot of money for a 20 year old motor, unless of course it is new in the box. Check this price guide out. May be a little low, but it is a good guideline for what the value might be. just a Thought<br /><br /><br /> http://www.nadaguides.com/ValueReport.asp?UserID=0545A7E0A39&DID=37294&Type=OB&GCode=MO&wPg=1107&wSec=&LinkID=3926&Com=0012&Year=1982&Model=001200396

 

[mbb]

Re: 82 Mercury 90 hp - good model, year?

I have an 1980 90 hp inline 6. Its an excellent motor. Simple, easy to work on, and tons of old motors like it around. The motor is only worth about $800max, period. Thats it for any motor that old. Lots of possible problems though to look for.:<br /><br />If prop not pulled regularly, it could be froze to shaft ($100 to remove and rehub)<br />Good compression is 145-150 per cyl. <br />Wiring will be worse than it looks at first, the insulation will be soft & deteriorated and all the copper inside will be oxidized. Mercs old wiring is bad. Idles a little rough, but runs like a scalded dog. Loud below 4000 rpm. Carbs have to be kept clean or you will ruin the top cyl pretty quick.<br /><br />Mine has external Tilt/trim pump. Hoses will be in awful shape on outside (peeled rubber) but should be OK on inside (no leak). new ones are $50 x 4 = $200 (and you cant have them made any cheaper either)<br /><br />The same motor made 115, and 140 Hp, so in the 90 version the parts are pretty overbuilt.<br /><br />I will say that mine spent the first 20 yrs of its life overpropped, 4000 rpm at WOT vs 4500-5000 range. It never suffered the worse for it.<br /><br />I wouldnt offer over $700, and if you need trim hoses, forget it. But I admit, I really love my old motor. Its just so easy to work on.

 

[Bobby Powell]

Re: 82 Mercury 90 hp - good model, year?

merc-<br />I have a '84 90hp il 6 with external tilt also....so I am always looking around at other motors in the same model year incase i need parts for the future. What i have seen for prices at used boat yards is that a 115 runs around 1200 - 2200 (with warranty)depending on condition of motor. I have seen a few 90's and 115's in the trading post between 200 and 900 dollars, but these ads state that they have good heads and bad lower units and vice versa. <br /><br /> I know I will be in the market for a used motor in ther future, it's good to know that these are considered high prices. I have to keep my wife beleiving that boating/fishing is very cheap <br /><br />let us know what you find-<br /><br />Bobby Powell

 

[merc]

Re: 82 Mercury 90 hp - good model, year?

Hey, Thanks for the input everybody!<br />I feel armed and ready to do some dealing now. I'm also grateful for some other post - especially about problems with Suzuki parts. I WAS thinking about a new 70 or 90 four stroke, but not now!<br /> I can see there's a lot of snags to look out for when you're a tadpole.