NewB Q - Mid 80's Mercury 115

[SirIzzy]

I am looking to learn about outboards by rebuilding one. I found a mid 80's Mercury 115 with tilt and controls for $300. Seller tells me one cylinder has zero compression, the others have good compression. The motor looks complete and is not in a position to do any further checking other than visual. Knowing I will to do a full rebuild, my questions are ... is $300 reasonable ... (sounds reasonable to me)? What else can I or should I check and/or look for without being able to crank or spin it?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: NewB Q - Mid 80's Mercury 115

welcome aboard to iboats.

Look inside the park plug holes and look at the bad piston........ if the walls look scarred up you are looking at a boring job and a sleeve which could run BIG MONEY.

Ask if it was running and have the owner describe the failure. A motor with a zero compression piston is actually only worth the parts such as the lower unit, carbs, starter and tilt and trim. I would also ask to have the controls at that price.

If it will not spin then there might be a thrown rod and a cracked block.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: NewB Q - Mid 80's Mercury 115

As Bob says, it is hard to tell how bad the damage is without remving the transfer port and looking at the cylinder. A lot of times a boring, new oversize piston, carb cleaning and link and synch will fix it up. That will still cost $200, if you do it yourself and the damage to the cylinder is minor. Figure on $150/cylinder for any other damage, where bore and new piston will fix it.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: NewB Q - Mid 80's Mercury 115

And as I mentioned ......parting it out if you have the room and patience and you will make money back too.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: NewB Q - Mid 80's Mercury 115

Mercs are complex and miserable to work on. Once you have learned by rebuilding that engine you will be able to do almost any other brand. Since you can not check the electronics and since they cost a lot to replace, yes, $300 is a lot of money. On the other hand, can you put a price on the education you will gain?

BUY a manual!

 

[SirIzzy]

Re: NewB Q - Mid 80's Mercury 115

Thanks for all the input and suggestions. I'm in no rush to dive into an outboard, but I would like to learn all about them as I hope to pick up a small boat in the next year or two. I'll go have a look at this over the weekend and bring it home if it looks clean enough to dissect. I believe in the grand scheme of my potential boating career spending a few hundred dollars to have something to tear apart is worth the education (to me). I think worst case scenario I wind up tearing it down and unloading whatever pieces are sale-able. Best case would be tearing it down, rebuilding, and grinning ear to ear as I run it someday ... but I'll hold off on the grinning part for now.

Thanks again and I look forward to further helpful discussions!
-Izzy