Mercury 2.5L 200 rigging questions

[Randall220]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

Got bored, and stuck the controls and hydraulic steering on the console, to see what mods need to be done. It seems the steering wheel is too far up, and the control handle bottoms out reverse and forward. I might build an angled binnacle pod onto the console. I do plan on extending the top of the console to make room for electronics. Gauges are going on the angled section above the wheel and the space between the steering wheel and control will be for switches.

Below are some pics of the setup and the outboard.

I have the same type of motor only mine is a 93. This is my second season with the motor and she runs great! I'm quite the newbie with this sort of stuff, but have found that most of the fixes, ( thermostats, wires, basic maint,) i've been able to do myself thru the manual. I'm glad someone mentioned to avoid that pressure tube on there for a speed guage. I've heard horror stories of tubes breaking.

[jasoncooperpcola]

What kind of speed are you getting with your 2.5? Neither am i an expert but this site has helped me alot. Originally i wanted to repower with a 225 Optimax. But i decided on the 2.5L 200 after some prodding from members here. I am glad i got a simple motor now. The only water line i should be running into my dash is water pressure, and i hope it doesn't bite me in the rear. As for repairs so far it needs two thermostats, and i am replacing everything on the poppet valve assembly. The wee stream is almost scalding hot. One of the thermostats came apart and luckily everything got stuck in the thermo cover. After this i am changing thr water pump and gear oil. Is it true these lower units weigh at a hundred pounds?

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

Is it true these lower units weigh at a hundred pounds?

NO, not at all. I just changed mine from a 20" to a 25" and the lower unit is only about 50-60 lbs... that's a guess, but I'm 68 and not in the greatest of shape and I had no trouble sliding the old one off and putting the extended one on. Looks like there are 4 of us with the same engine. (You, Randall220, Reelapeelin and me) Different years (Mines a 91') but same basic cowl and engine.

[Randall220]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

What kind of speed are you getting with your 2.5? Neither am i an expert but this site has helped me alot. Originally i wanted to repower with a 225 Optimax. But i decided on the 2.5L 200 after some prodding from members here. I am glad i got a simple motor now. The only water line i should be running into my dash is water pressure, and i hope it doesn't bite me in the rear. As for repairs so far it needs two thermostats, and i am replacing everything on the poppet valve assembly. The wee stream is almost scalding hot. One of the thermostats came apart and luckily everything got stuck in the thermo cover. After this i am changing thr water pump and gear oil. Is it true these lower units weigh at a hundred pounds?

Not too sure on the speed for I too don't have a speedometer. Mine runns at top end between 5200 and 5400 RPMs. I'd like to get a GPS installed at some point to see how fast but she blows some of the newer boats out of the water. If the pee stream is running that hot it might not have the correct gasket, or sealer around the water pump. This happened to me and I wasn't aware of it, and had to take it to a pro to fix it. I'm also not to sure on the weight on the lower unit, it was heavy but not 100lbs heavy.

[Randall220]

jasoncooperpcola

Just curious, is your motor a 30" shaft, or a 25" ?

[jasoncooperpcola]

Ya know, i haven't even measured it! Dam i hope its not a 30". I will measure it when i get home.

[spareparts]

from your pics, it appears to be 25, I don't think they made a 30 2.5( I could be wrong). the water from the pisser will be hot on a merc, and it won't start peeing till the thermostat open up, so don't get too worried if it doesn't start peeing as soon as you start the engine