Newbe here.
I've run an 1986 mercury 2 stroke, 6 cyl, 90hp,..."Tower of Power".
I never liked the idea of a 2 stroke..., too many chainsaws, and lawn mowers that let me down,...BUT I have been pretty happy with this unit.
I drive it pretty hard on the Great Lakes. It has not let me down in a tight spot, (been in many) and so reliability to start and go is VERY important.
I have rebuilt the powerhead twice and lower unit was replaced after a prang with an underwater wreak. I rebuild them myself but have a shop do the machine work. My merc mechanic said after the last rebuild, that that was it, if she goes again get another engine. Well she "blew" last year.
Hey, it's 22 years old!!
He wasn't particularly taken by the 4 strokes and believes when it comes time to rebuild those a lot of owners will get the estimate,(valves,cams,springs,time, etc.) and simply chose to make them a boat anchor!
This is an engine that I would like to last for at least 20 years with good care, (I drive it hard but I baby it, my life depends on it!).
I am now in the market for another 90 merc. What should it be 2 or 4 stroke?
I am somewhat environmentally aware but the newer 2's are much more efficient, etc.
(one issue I have with the new 2 stroke is that it is a 3 cylinder affair, I drove a friend's 3 cylinder 75 merc. which was about 6 years old,...HORRIBLE,... it was a lumpy, rough running, noisy affair which felt like it was going to cut out at idle!!).
Any thoughts? Any experiences?
I've run an 1986 mercury 2 stroke, 6 cyl, 90hp,..."Tower of Power".
I never liked the idea of a 2 stroke..., too many chainsaws, and lawn mowers that let me down,...BUT I have been pretty happy with this unit.
I drive it pretty hard on the Great Lakes. It has not let me down in a tight spot, (been in many) and so reliability to start and go is VERY important.
I have rebuilt the powerhead twice and lower unit was replaced after a prang with an underwater wreak. I rebuild them myself but have a shop do the machine work. My merc mechanic said after the last rebuild, that that was it, if she goes again get another engine. Well she "blew" last year.
Hey, it's 22 years old!!
He wasn't particularly taken by the 4 strokes and believes when it comes time to rebuild those a lot of owners will get the estimate,(valves,cams,springs,time, etc.) and simply chose to make them a boat anchor!
This is an engine that I would like to last for at least 20 years with good care, (I drive it hard but I baby it, my life depends on it!).
I am now in the market for another 90 merc. What should it be 2 or 4 stroke?
I am somewhat environmentally aware but the newer 2's are much more efficient, etc.
(one issue I have with the new 2 stroke is that it is a 3 cylinder affair, I drove a friend's 3 cylinder 75 merc. which was about 6 years old,...HORRIBLE,... it was a lumpy, rough running, noisy affair which felt like it was going to cut out at idle!!).
Any thoughts? Any experiences?