Lookin at buying a 9.8

[Nsangueza]

So I found a killer deal on two used Mercury 9,8s. They look like early 90s models. (I'll get the serial numbers tomorrow)
Anyways the guy said one of them is "pretty much only good for parts" and the other just needs the carb reinstalled and new fuel lines.

My questions:

What do these motors cost when they're running properly?
Is it worth the time and money to fix both of them?
How readily available are parts?
How easy are they to wrench on?(I'm very familiar with 2 stroke engines such as lawn mowers and such and have access to all the tools I'll need)
How do they do in saltwater? What parts do I need to buy to make it saltwater capable?


I'm going to be buying a 16' aluminum v hull boat. Is a 9,8 going to be enough power for me (160lbs and maybe 50lbs of gear)

Thank you all in advance for the help I know I've asked a bunch of questions but I appreciate any and all input! Have a blessed day.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

Condition determines the value.
Worth the time and money - Only you can answer that.
Yes, parts are available on the "parts" motor if it's complete, to get the other one up and running. Consumables are fairly available.
Ease of working on depends on a lot of things that you don't know yet. Like serial numbers to ID them
If you take care of it and the PO's took care of them if they used in salt, they should be fine. I don't think any parts are needed for salt use except good anodes.

Can't say how the motor and 16 footer will match up.

 

[Nsangueza]

Welcome aboard.

Condition determines the value.
Worth the time and money - Only you can answer that.
Yes, parts are available on the "parts" motor if it's complete, to get the other one up and running. Consumables are fairly available.
Ease of working on depends on a lot of things that you don't know yet. Like serial numbers to ID them
If you take care of it and the PO's took care of them if they used in salt, they should be fine. I don't think any parts are needed for salt use except good anodes.

Can't say how the motor and 16 footer will match up.

Thanks for the info!
I'm going to look at them tomorrow. Anything in particular i should look for? He's only asking like $100 for the pair.

 

[Nsangueza]

Here's a picture. I'm thinking late 80s early 90s. Not sure tho

 

[racerone]

?????----No they are in the range of 1974 models.--A bargain at $100 for the pair.----Note----- that the stopped marketing them in 1985 , so they certainly are not 1990 models !!!!!

 

[Nsangueza]

?????----No they are in the range of 1974 models.--A bargain at $100 for the pair.----Note----- that the stopped marketing them in 1985 , so they certainly are not 1990 models !!!!!

Oh okay thanks for the correction. Shows how much I know about them hehe. Are these models pretty reliable once they're up and running? I can't imagine they're too hard to maintain.

 

[tpenfield]

FYI, the 1960's-late 1970's model of Mercury outboards had the regular steel driveshafts, so saltwater would easily pit them around the water pump seal and lead to oil discharge from the lower unit. In about 1978-79 Mercury switched to the stainless steel driveshafts to alleviate that problem.

If those are early-mid 1970's, then you can assume that they will not hold up in saltwater (been there done that).

I replaced the drive shaft on my 1969 7.5 hp Merc with a stainless steel shaft from a 1980's model for a mere $160 :faint2:

 

[Scott Danforth]

As Ted indicated, use the 1978 or newer in salt water.

blue bands used up until 1982, from there, they went brown band until the motor stopped production in 1985. for $100, great price. assuming compression is good on both, you can get both running. carb kits and gaskets are cheap, the small shaft water pump is kind of expensive (those motors had either a 0.438" diameter shaft or a 0.456" diameter shaft)

 

[Nsangueza]

Is there a particular website that you guys like using? Or will I have to scavenge parts from several sites?

So far this seems like this should be very doable. Thanks again for the help gents

 

[GA_Boater]

Is there a particular website that you guys like using? Or will I have to scavenge parts from several sites?

So far this seems like this should be very doable. Thanks again for the help gents

Look on top of the page for new parts. For what are called NLA parts, it takes some searching and asking questions.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have been lucky on a few websites with listings for old merc parts, along with ebay and craigslist.

while a few items are NLA, most of the service parts are available.

 

[Nsangueza]

No Title

Here are some better pictures. I'm going to look at them this evening to test compression. He says one has 120psi and the other one doesn't have a pull start assembly so can't really test it.

The first three are the one that just needs a carb installed and the second three are the "parts" motor.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I apologize. based on the pics, these are 1977 or earlier. I looked prior on my phone, and simply saw the blue band, and not the silver cowl front panel. Power head is similar, however ignition is different than my 83 and 85's were. I would still buy it.

 

[merc850]

They are 1972 models (check ser. Nr.) the one powerhead with the rusty crank is your "donor" one depending on the other ones' compression. Here's a parts vendor http://store.oldmercs.com/category_s/873.htm other than a Mercury dealer. If I had them I'd get them going - restoration is fun!
Do a comp check, spark test, LU water infiltration and new impeller.