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Author Topic:   16-footer, c.1970 Mercury 115-HP

spindrift2 posted 05-16-2007 10:34 PM ET (US)
[Is a c.1970 Mercury 115-HP outboard a good motor for a 16-foot Boston Whaler boat? Is a c.1970 Mercury 115-HP easy to work on? Is it easy to find parts for a c.1970 Mercury 115-HP?] The seller says his c.1970 Mercury 115-HP motor is in good running condition. I am considering buying it. jim
jimh posted 05-16-2007 11:09 PM ET (US)
If you are talking about the famous in-line six-cyinder Mercury "Tower of Power", they are very nice motors from that era, and people have often commented about them in favorable ways. Owning any thirty year old outboard motor will be an adventure in minor repairs and service, but there are few other thirty-year-old motors I'd rather own than a "Tower of Power."
contender posted 05-16-2007 11:21 PM ET (US)
The merc would be a good motor if it has not been in salt water, One of the poor designs of this engine is the lower crank seal. The seal breaks/wears out and the water spray coats the lower bearing. Rust sets in and you throw your bottom cylinder rod/main bearing. Now the other problem is parts good luck.
Tohsgib posted 05-17-2007 12:20 PM ET (US)
Most parts are easy to find. If rebuilding one you might run into some problems with availability but waterpumps, plugs, carb kits, distributor caps, etc are most likely at your dealership. Yes they are a great engine but a tad finicky with proper tune. I would only buy a mint example and make sure it is cheap and freshwater or minimal salt use. Power tilt is available if you desire it and with that engine, you will desire it. 1970 I believe is red decals which I also think was a 100 or 110hp. 1971 or 72 they went to blue decals which would be a 115. 1975 they went to a rainbow decal through 1977....etc.
Tohsgib posted 05-17-2007 12:22 PM ET (US)
PS They also called those engines "black iron" because merc used a lot of steel which rusts...hence the name and why fresh water is favorable.
Teak Oil posted 05-17-2007 05:50 PM ET (US)
You better be getting this motor for about $200 and no more. While famous for good power and low weight, they are also famous for having carb sync problems, distributor problems, and for buring down the top two cylinders from leaning out.
frank_king posted 05-17-2007 09:22 PM ET (US)
I am with teak oil. This is not a good investment unless you know how to "tinker" with that motor. If you will need to bring to a dealer, I would not suggest putting the motor in question on your boat.
Frank
spindrift2 posted 05-17-2007 10:32 PM ET (US)
It looks like it is a 115 with a blue decal, its has power tilt, I believe it was always in fresh water. Its on a glasspar boat with a current solid trailer for $900. on ebay. I thought I might buy it run it for a year or two till I restore the whaler and put the motor on that. Sound smart. I do not see the cash coming in for a new motor to soon. Jim
spindrift2 posted 05-17-2007 11:03 PM ET (US)
If I look at it in person this weekend is there anything I should look for? He offered to put it in the water for a test. I know that he said that the bottom fin was rewelded back on befor he bought the motor. I know that is not a called a fin but what is it called? Maybe the price is too high for this setup. Any other good ideas for a used dependable motor for around $1500 ? What makes or models?
Tohsgib posted 05-18-2007 11:27 AM ET (US)
There was a mint 90hp Johnson 1990 on here a short while back for $2k. You can find them cheaper but again this one was mint. I would steer clear of that 115 engine unless you wanted the trailer as well.
Tohsgib posted 05-18-2007 11:30 AM ET (US)
Here is the ad and he is in your area.
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/013965.html
contender posted 05-18-2007 03:34 PM ET (US)
It is called the foot or skeg, $1500 he is dreaming... look else where...good luck
brisboats posted 05-18-2007 10:00 PM ET (US)
If you want to own the very best of the inlines chose a 1985-1987 model. These engines were propellor rated horsepower and had low domed pistons designed to run on lower octance fuel. The ignition systems are adi or alternater driven and much less troublesome than the pervious distributor models. The lower unit is stronger and more efficient with its swept back design. They also have the much more modern integrated power trim and tilt system same unit as the V-6's. The inline is great motor when properly tuned and can give thousands of hours of service as with most things mechanical it just happens that the last of the series were the very best. The word is out as the 1985-1987 are now commanding very strong prices. Power to weight ratio is outstanding a true 115hp+ engine weighing less than 300 pounds is hard to beat.
Brian
brisboats posted 05-18-2007 10:04 PM ET (US)
Meant octane and previous. Sorry.
Brian

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Author	Topic: 16-footer, c.1970 Mercury 115-HP
spindrift2	posted 05-16-2007 10:34 PM ET (US) [Is a c.1970 Mercury 115-HP outboard a good motor for a 16-foot Boston Whaler boat? Is a c.1970 Mercury 115-HP easy to work on? Is it easy to find parts for a c.1970 Mercury 115-HP?] The seller says his c.1970 Mercury 115-HP motor is in good running condition. I am considering buying it. jim
jimh	posted 05-16-2007 11:09 PM ET (US) If you are talking about the famous in-line six-cyinder Mercury "Tower of Power", they are very nice motors from that era, and people have often commented about them in favorable ways. Owning any thirty year old outboard motor will be an adventure in minor repairs and service, but there are few other thirty-year-old motors I'd rather own than a "Tower of Power."
contender	posted 05-16-2007 11:21 PM ET (US) The merc would be a good motor if it has not been in salt water, One of the poor designs of this engine is the lower crank seal. The seal breaks/wears out and the water spray coats the lower bearing. Rust sets in and you throw your bottom cylinder rod/main bearing. Now the other problem is parts good luck.
Tohsgib	posted 05-17-2007 12:20 PM ET (US) Most parts are easy to find. If rebuilding one you might run into some problems with availability but waterpumps, plugs, carb kits, distributor caps, etc are most likely at your dealership. Yes they are a great engine but a tad finicky with proper tune. I would only buy a mint example and make sure it is cheap and freshwater or minimal salt use. Power tilt is available if you desire it and with that engine, you will desire it. 1970 I believe is red decals which I also think was a 100 or 110hp. 1971 or 72 they went to blue decals which would be a 115. 1975 they went to a rainbow decal through 1977....etc.
Tohsgib	posted 05-17-2007 12:22 PM ET (US) PS They also called those engines "black iron" because merc used a lot of steel which rusts...hence the name and why fresh water is favorable.
Teak Oil	posted 05-17-2007 05:50 PM ET (US) You better be getting this motor for about $200 and no more. While famous for good power and low weight, they are also famous for having carb sync problems, distributor problems, and for buring down the top two cylinders from leaning out.
frank_king	posted 05-17-2007 09:22 PM ET (US) I am with teak oil. This is not a good investment unless you know how to "tinker" with that motor. If you will need to bring to a dealer, I would not suggest putting the motor in question on your boat. Frank
spindrift2	posted 05-17-2007 10:32 PM ET (US) It looks like it is a 115 with a blue decal, its has power tilt, I believe it was always in fresh water. Its on a glasspar boat with a current solid trailer for $900. on ebay. I thought I might buy it run it for a year or two till I restore the whaler and put the motor on that. Sound smart. I do not see the cash coming in for a new motor to soon. Jim
spindrift2	posted 05-17-2007 11:03 PM ET (US) If I look at it in person this weekend is there anything I should look for? He offered to put it in the water for a test. I know that he said that the bottom fin was rewelded back on befor he bought the motor. I know that is not a called a fin but what is it called? Maybe the price is too high for this setup. Any other good ideas for a used dependable motor for around $1500 ? What makes or models?
Tohsgib	posted 05-18-2007 11:27 AM ET (US) There was a mint 90hp Johnson 1990 on here a short while back for $2k. You can find them cheaper but again this one was mint. I would steer clear of that 115 engine unless you wanted the trailer as well.
Tohsgib	posted 05-18-2007 11:30 AM ET (US) Here is the ad and he is in your area. http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/013965.html
contender	posted 05-18-2007 03:34 PM ET (US) It is called the foot or skeg, $1500 he is dreaming... look else where...good luck
brisboats	posted 05-18-2007 10:00 PM ET (US) If you want to own the very best of the inlines chose a 1985-1987 model. These engines were propellor rated horsepower and had low domed pistons designed to run on lower octance fuel. The ignition systems are adi or alternater driven and much less troublesome than the pervious distributor models. The lower unit is stronger and more efficient with its swept back design. They also have the much more modern integrated power trim and tilt system same unit as the V-6's. The inline is great motor when properly tuned and can give thousands of hours of service as with most things mechanical it just happens that the last of the series were the very best. The word is out as the 1985-1987 are now commanding very strong prices. Power to weight ratio is outstanding a true 115hp+ engine weighing less than 300 pounds is hard to beat. Brian
brisboats	posted 05-18-2007 10:04 PM ET (US) Meant octane and previous. Sorry. Brian