CLEAN AS HELL!

[bigshrimpin]

MS - Don't knock the blackmax motors. Those 80's and 90's mercury blackmax motors are extremely powerful and reliable motors. They're also pretty efficent. I'm running a 1981 Merc 2.4L 225 and I get 3 - 3.5 MPG cruising 35mph!!! 125psi +/- 2psi in all 6.

[TheTinMan]

BS, that mileage is impressive for a big ole carbed 2 stroke!

Years ago I had a 78 (I think) Mariner/Merc 140 inline 6, kept the boat moored and rarely ever got fresh water flushed. Ran the hell out of that boat for 5 years, never 1 problem.

[msbhammer]

Bigshrimp,
Didnt know the Blackmax's let alone Mercurys were well liked. I have a 200 Blackmax and been thinking of replacing just because of the problems I hear about them, exp. Motor must be tilted all the way down to start, ect, ect.

[macojoe]

Just run it till it dies!! What do you want to start it up in the air for any way??

I had a Merc at one time, it ran great, I just did not like that it did not start the first time? For what ever reason all Merc That I have been around never start the first time, but they always start!!

I have a 175 Yamaha and I getting the same as BS for gas 3 to 3.5

[willy]

I had the 92 150 Black Max, when it ran was strong and efficient fuel wise, but it would nickle and dime you to death with problems, mostly fuel delivery and igniton related. Even the two Merc Master Techs that I did buisness with said the exact same thing. If you are a good engine mechanic and don't mind replacing stators coils switch boxes and playing around like that they are fine :-/ for me and two of my friends that ran them we would not buy a Merc again. ETEC yamaha honda maybe even a zuki, no more blackies

[bigshrimpin]

They are a ***** to start when cold, but once you get them warmed up then they're good to go. They're also simple ( I mean 2nd grade easy to work on). As far as spare parts . . . you can get everything you need off ebay to keep that merc alive (for pennies on the dollar). I have a spare box of parts in my garage (switch boxes, coils, plug wires, stator, trigger, retifier, solenoids, and starter), but I haven't had to do anything but feed it fuel (since I bought the motor and went through it 2 years ago).

Here's what it looked like when I bought it.





The most important things to do with the blackmax motors is to remove the oil injection and then decarb the motors every season (or every 100hours). Also fog the motor and drain the carbs at the end of each season.


This is one of the after pics . . . where the trigger and harness wires were cleaned up. I also replaced all the coils, b/c they were porked (cost me $40 to do everything).

If you ever need the flywheel puller or lifting eye . . . I will have them both and can lend them to anyone on the board.

[msbhammer]

BigShrimp,
Great pictures, now what are those wires that you have circled. They looked the same wires that ran to a black box that nobody knew what it did. The wires were disconnected, so the guy who worked on my motor pulled it off and said not to worry about it. Any ideas ??

[willy]

Big Shrimp God Bless you, most of what you did I had to pay to have done, referring to the electronics. Then I had to pay to have them done again, and again all within a year and a half. My friend has had Merc since he was a kid( long time) he won't go back either, second motor bought new and within very short time after warranty expired was costing him many hundreds a year to repair bullsh!t electronics problems that left him disabled in the water twice each motor.
He has Yamaha now two years bought used and a little worn and has not cost him a penny. My Johnson same thing so far knock on wood. It comes down to what your experience with different brands. Mine and some of my friends put the mercury's in the sea as anchors :-/

[bigshrimpin]

The wires that are circled are from the trigger. These wires go to the side of the switch boxes and then the green (now yellow)wires go back to the coils. The top wires come down from the stator. Each switch boxes controls the spark for one side of the powerhead. The top switch box will fire 1,3,5 and the bottom box will fire 2,4,6 .

Before I bought a manual . . . I took the motor to Merc Dealer who told me to use it for an anchor :) Two years later the motor hasn't let me down!!

There are only a few electrical components on these older mercs.

http://www.biggerhammer.net/mercury/...200_wiring.jpg

http://www.biggerhammer.net/mercury/

http://outboardparts.com/mercury/tro...eshooting2.htm

http://outboardparts.com/mercury/tro...shooting10.htm

[willy]

And may it always be that way for you ;D ;) ;D