Hello, I am new this board and need some help. I bought a 1977 skeeter with a mercury 1500 150 hp outboard engine. I took it out this weekend and was running good for a while, then it started to loose power. Then I took the engine speed down and the engine shut down. It didn't make any bad sounds; it sounded as though I turned the key off. The engine would not start again. I took out the first spark plug and found metal shavings from the piston on the plug. Today I tore the motor completely down and discovered a crack on the intake port of #5 cylinder (in the casting). I suspect this was the cause of a bad re-sleeving job, but not for sure. The pistons are direct spark pistons and 2 of the pistons were fried. I don't know if this was due to water or detonation. My main question is if the block will still be usable or fixable assuming it doesn't need to be re-sleeved? It looks like it is just a hairline fracture, but extends a long ways. Also what is the possible cause of the bad pistons? Please refer the the pictures at this website: http://www.apwebcreation.com/boat/ <br /><br />If block is not usable, where can I find one; I just need the block not the whole assembly.<br /><br />Any information/advise would be appreciated. Thanks
<br /><br />Unfortunately very few people trade their stuff in because everything is fine and dandy. Most want to unload a problem they don't want to deal with anymore. Same holds true with private sales. You can't be too careful when buying a used rig. I have no idea of the percentage, but I'll bet way over half have known problems that are never disclosed to the prospective buyer. Some of those can be rather severe.<br /><br />I doubt you'll find anyone willing to resleeve a cracked block even though yours appears to be in a fairly benign location. I'd suggest looking around for some parts motors and piece something together. That's the only cost-effective way for an old inline 150. They don't have much value since the V-6s came out. The V-6s walk all over them. Even the 135 will beat the snot out of any 150 inline. I think you'd be wiser looking into one of those.