is this a decent motor?

[spareparts]

good motor, price is good(especially if it comes with the prop), offer $2500 if it checks out. Check compression and spark. Make sure the charging system works. Check the gear lube, look at it for corrosion. If you can take it for a spin on the boat its mounted on, thats a plus. Go ahead and figure having the carbs gone thru, oil injection removed, and put a water pump in it and you'll be good to go. If you need it checked out, call Bell Hart Marine.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by spareparts

good motor, price is good(especially if it comes with the prop), offer $2500 if it checks out. Check compression and spark. Make sure the charging system works. Check the gear lube, look at it for corrosion. If you can take it for a spin on the boat its mounted on, thats a plus. Go ahead and figure having the carbs gone thru, oil injection removed, and put a water pump in it and you'll be good to go. If you need it checked out, call Bell Hart Marine.

I keep forgetting engines bring more up north. Down here that would be a $2K engine on a GOOD day. I bought my 150 XRI that was clean enough to eat off of with a boat and trailer for $2400. Sold the boat and trailer for $300, kept the trolling motor off of for my current boat, and sold the lower off of it for $500 and swapped my low water pickup one from the blown engine onto it.

[peiserma]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

I keep forgetting engines bring more up north.

No offense taken, but we don't consider ourselves as being "up north" Though it's all a matter of perspective, i suppose. In any case, that is why i asked if the asking price was reasonable (never having bought one, i have no frame of reference)

[EDIT: I really do appreciate the replies]

[spareparts]

yea, whats this up North Crap? You'd think it was Charlie asking about this motor


Seriously, pay a good mechanic to check it out, it will be worth it in the long run.

[garbubba]

Used to say anyone north of I-10 was a yankee, then I move 5 minutes north of the 10. I guess the new line is Hwy 98;-)

These guys know these motors & are giving good advice, One thing I'd add is to check out the rust in the middle, I can see it looks like mine. Years ago, I had my shift cable freeze up & the mercury guys couldn't get it apart, the bolts were so rusted. I found a guy who could, & it's still running.

I know later models had more stainless parts but not what years.

They are reliable, powerful & suck gas, can't have everything.

[THEFERMANATOR]

When I say up north, I mean any place that has a boating season. Down here in FLAWDA, it is YEAR ROUND. We don't know what that winterizang stuff is.

[smokeonthewater]

I wouldn't say up north here either but at least we don't fire up the furnace and break out the north face coats when the temp drops below 80 LOL

[peiserma]

Wow! Quick replies. Exactly the kind of feedback i was looking for. I have a spark checker (cheap $5 inline from Harbor Freight), a voltmeter to test the charging system, and a compression tester. Although i have never bought an outboard, I feel confident that i can check these basics.

I know each cylinder needs to be within a few psi of each other, but what range can I expect with this engine? I'm guessing 105-125 based on prior experience, but i know there's variability among models.