Philthediver
New member
Can anyone help me out there, I got a problem.
I just took apart my old Merc 80 and found a whole heap of trouble. I've checked it out with a few people who say it's worth rebuilding - as old Mercs usually are (or so they say). It needs pistons, a crank regrind, big end bearings, main bearings crank end oil seals, crank end bearings, a gasket set and a timing belt. To cap all that, the drive shaft splines are rusted coming off the gearbox side of things. I'm not scared of doing the work, just the cost of the spares.
To be quite honest, commercially this is a disasterous project that stands to cost me a fortune. Does anyone know of anybody who has a good powerhead and gearbox going cheap? (4 cyl 1969 onwards & in the UK somewhere).
On the other hand, has anyone got any good complete motors for sale? 80hp to whatever!
I keep getting offered outboards by dealers & individuals alike, but they all seem to be time bombs waiting to explode. The latest was a Chrysler 70 that apparently runs like a dream for 500 quid. The old Merc ran like a dream when I got it but 1 season later, and it's had it. I've seen the results of small Chrysler problems in the past that have resulted in engines with good compression going on the scrap heap or spares / repair listings.
To be honest, I'm at the end of my tether as is my bank account. My local 2nd hand engine dealer in Manchester just seems to want to rip off anyone who has cash in their hand. I had so many excuses as to what the problem could be that I could write a book of dealer blags. The truth seems to be that lots of 2nd hand units run well but are on the verge of a major fault. The Merc cost me a grand and I've had about 100 quid of value from it.
Any good ideas anybody? Can anyone restore my faith in 2nd hand 2 strokes?
Sorry for the rant but I'm sure others have felt this way at some stage.
Thanks
A very unhappy Phil the diver
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I just took apart my old Merc 80 and found a whole heap of trouble. I've checked it out with a few people who say it's worth rebuilding - as old Mercs usually are (or so they say). It needs pistons, a crank regrind, big end bearings, main bearings crank end oil seals, crank end bearings, a gasket set and a timing belt. To cap all that, the drive shaft splines are rusted coming off the gearbox side of things. I'm not scared of doing the work, just the cost of the spares.
To be quite honest, commercially this is a disasterous project that stands to cost me a fortune. Does anyone know of anybody who has a good powerhead and gearbox going cheap? (4 cyl 1969 onwards & in the UK somewhere).
On the other hand, has anyone got any good complete motors for sale? 80hp to whatever!
I keep getting offered outboards by dealers & individuals alike, but they all seem to be time bombs waiting to explode. The latest was a Chrysler 70 that apparently runs like a dream for 500 quid. The old Merc ran like a dream when I got it but 1 season later, and it's had it. I've seen the results of small Chrysler problems in the past that have resulted in engines with good compression going on the scrap heap or spares / repair listings.
To be honest, I'm at the end of my tether as is my bank account. My local 2nd hand engine dealer in Manchester just seems to want to rip off anyone who has cash in their hand. I had so many excuses as to what the problem could be that I could write a book of dealer blags. The truth seems to be that lots of 2nd hand units run well but are on the verge of a major fault. The Merc cost me a grand and I've had about 100 quid of value from it.
Any good ideas anybody? Can anyone restore my faith in 2nd hand 2 strokes?
Sorry for the rant but I'm sure others have felt this way at some stage.
Thanks
A very unhappy Phil the diver
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