Worried About Merc Hi Per Parts

[Jay Smith]

I'm getting a bit concerned about the lack of availibility of VERY COMMON Mercury High Performance parts thru the dealership I use ( factory back ordered ) . I normally buy 7 to 10 complete bearing assyemblys for engines at a time ( EVERY BEARING ) and reorder when I am getting to 2 complete sets left in stock. I'm now down to scrambling with zero big end rod bearings in stock...IMO its looking like a bleek future of availibility of these needed rebuild parts and even become higher than the SILLY HIGH prices they are now...( SCARY THOUGHT, EVEN HIGHER PRICES ! ) As bad as I hate to I might be forced to tell customers that aftermarket seems to be the only alternative , other than a LONG WAIT...

[The Big Al]

You are going to find that the manufacture of the after market parts is the same maker of the OEM. (IN SOME CASES)

But why stay OEM?

Mercury does not manufacture every part.
gaskets, pistons, bearings and rings are mostly made by company's who specialize in the manufacturing process of these type parts.
IE: Dana Corporartion, Timkin, Koyo, Wisco just to name a few.

And most of these company's protect their Number one customer the Manufacture! Most factory (OEM) parts are the under more product control, better material.

You will find a OEM part quality control held to a tighter tolerance, were after market will not! This is a fact in the bearing business!

Why? The OEM is the factory's largest customer! Failures cause big problems, warranty claims and big cost and possible loss of contract.
And future business!

In the aftermarket, they just give you another part!

[Prof. O/B]

You are going to find that the manufacture of the after market parts is the same maker of the OEM. (IN SOME CASES)

But why stay OEM?

Mercury does not manufacture every part.
gaskets, pistons, bearings and rings are mostly made by company's who specialize in the manufacturing process of these type parts.
IE: Dana Corporartion, Timkin, Koyo, Wisco just to name a few.

And most of these company's protect their Number one customer the Manufacture! Most factory (OEM) parts are the under more product control, better material.

You will find a OEM part quality control held to a tighter tolerance, were after market will not! This is a fact in the bearing business!

Why? The OEM is the factory's largest customer! Failures cause big problems, warranty claims and big cost and possible loss of contract.
And future business!

In the aftermarket, they just give you another part!

Big Al, you know the most of the time I agree with you. And I agree with you that Merc holds, say for instance Wiseco to a "better" design standard for example on the 2.5 LTR Merc Hi-Perf. piston than one you would buy from an over-the-counter "stock" Wiseco piston. I do not believe the Merc Piston is made from any better material than is the stock Wiseco, just one of a superior design. I know Merc likes to say they use a "special" material, superior to standard Wiseco's, but a most rudimentary hardness test does not indicate this. When I test one against the other at a "heating" of 500 Deg. I get exactly the same expansion rate. If someone has a hardness testor where this can be absolutely determined that the Merc Hi-Perf. is indeed a higher silicon content piston, I hope they will share it with us. I of course don't advocate the use of the standard Wisecos, but it is not a material issue.

I regards to bearings, I see no evidence where Merc does little more than use "available" over-the-counter bearings. I may be wrong, but I find little I can not buy over-the-counter. Note, I'm not saying they don't have bearing(s) made for them. But in truth, I was amazed to see what a relatively low grade bearing they do use in for instance in the 2.5 LTR Drag Motor. Take the top main bearing, see what RPM it is rated for, it will be less than pleasing. Roller, needle and other Bearing Classifications were determined while Merc and OMC were still using bushing-type bearings with 16:1 oil mixes. The organizations such as ASME, ASTM and more recent ISO are used in the determination of bearing quality and grade, Merc has never specified a different, or new grade of bearing in their organizational life. Be assured that if you buy an over-the-counter bearing that is specified by one of the aforementioned organizations, it will meet the grade requirement. Now due to world trade, the ISO is the predominent organization for assurance that "a bearing" meets it's grade; certification and subsequent testing by ISO is stringent and never-ending. Does that go to say that someone wouldn't sneak a less than the "specified" bearing in on an unsuspecting customer? I would feel the chances of that occurence in this day and age would be high. Can you play it safe and always buy from a dealer, sure, and if you do not know what you are looking for, you are probably better off doing so.

However, I have no allegiance to Merc, OMC or anyone else. mainly because they have no allegiance to me. Will they charge me 3X what a part should cost because they want to gouge me, you bet ya. Should a Hi-Perf. Merc piston cost what it does? There's no way on God's green earth they should charge you what they do, other than pure, unmitigated greed. And please note, I am not talking about the Dealers such as yourself, you are not the one engaged in this profit-mongering. Do I think Merc or anyone else gives a dam less where their motor takes a dump after the warranty period, I really think they hope it does. I was once told that Lake X showed no sign of oil residue when the water was tested. You know I can believe that, mainly because they have for years turned loose a torrent of pure crap on the unsuspecting customer. If anyone in fact did any "true" testing of the product before it was released, these problems would have never reached the marketplace. Nothing against you AL, you're not the problem. But I'm not fan, and never will be. They have just about dictated that an average Joe Blow with an average income and 2.1 kids can't race anymore. I don't like that.:mad:

[Prof. O/B]

I'm getting a bit concerned about the lack of availibility of VERY COMMON Mercury High Performance parts thru the dealership I use ( factory back ordered ) . I normally buy 7 to 10 complete bearing assyemblys for engines at a time ( EVERY BEARING ) and reorder when I am getting to 2 complete sets left in stock. I'm now down to scrambling with zero big end rod bearings in stock...IMO its looking like a bleek future of availibility of these needed rebuild parts and even become higher than the SILLY HIGH prices they are now...( SCARY THOUGHT, EVEN HIGHER PRICES ! ) As bad as I hate to I might be forced to tell customers that aftermarket seems to be the only alternative , other than a LONG WAIT...

Jay, maybe that's why God made different bearings companies, have no fear!! It want be long to the Chinese will pop the 2.5 LTR and we can buy a bolt-on powerhead for $1000.00. Look what they did to Honda for example, they made identical motors to those Honda makes for generators, etc., and they even use Honda replacement parts! Shin Lu is probably making you up some replacement bearing sets as we speak, and the U.S. Gov't. is probably giving some Jack Ass tax incentives to import them. T'is a funny world we live in, you may not have noticed but ever time I see a politican being interviewed are those $$ signs I see in their eyes or merely a reflection of the stage lightning???:D

I'm thinking about running for a public office myself, can I expect yo support? Here's my platform - I'm gonna screw less than these other guys do::D

[Dave S]

Or Hemi Hemi:rolleyes: I use used bearings........ unless they are bad. Eye test....... I wish I had all the used parts that were thrown out that still had a good life time on them.:o Now I am shy on wrist pin slop.;) I work on old Mercs, parts are hard to get. But the guy down the road has no problem getting parts to rebuild a old OLD car motor.:confused: Different story. Just my .02 worthless.:p

[Dave S]

Not to offend Jay S. but times change and ya best off looking ahead. I try to stock up as much parts as I think I will ever need.:D I wish I had done that on SM parts and 150xs T2X Decales.:o I wish I had stocked up on more head gaskets. Ya just never know but OLD car parts ya can get.....different world .

[JASON ALLEN]

Mercury high performance parts use to be cheaper than production parts on some things. Then they got as high or higher than production parts. Then they got very, very high. Now they are very, very high and you can't even get em'. I think Mercury, with their new generation of college boys and girls, looks to the future. They think by making it difficult to obtain replacement parts, you'll go buy yourself a new one. One like a friend of mine bought last year. He had a 20' Bullet with a 225 promax that would run very well for a bass boat. After talking to the nice "college" folks down in Fla, he bought a Merc high perf. 3.2L stroker. That motor is a complete joke, but I bet you could get parts for it. J.A.

[150aintenuff]

yep.. not a problem gettin parts for it.... even the production 200s are getting pricy... let alone the hipo 2.5's...

[1BadAction]

a Merc high perf. 3.2L stroker. That motor is a complete joke,

must be some good crack you're smoking up there.

[150aintenuff]

the 3.2's progblem is its about 75 lbs heavier than the 300X it replaced....... THATS A PROBLEM..... FRIGGEN OBESE!!!

[Capt.Insane-o]

Support your aftermarket. I gave up on Merc and thier ass reaming ways a long time ago and make regular trips to Detroit Ball for bearings. They have to recoup the reported 100+ million that was stuck into the Verado program somehow. I often ponder what would have become of the opti with that kind of investment.

[The Big Al]

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by JASON ALLEN http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1060208#post1060208)
a Merc high perf. 3.2L stroker. That motor is a complete joke,
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
must be some good crack you're smoking up there.
_____________________________________________________________

No his friend has one!!!

You know the deal! My buddy this, my buddy that!

Pure BS!

[myron]

plug wires from Hi-Perf over 100 a piece

[1BadAction]

the 3.2's progblem is its about 75 lbs heavier than the 300X it replaced....... THATS A PROBLEM..... FRIGGEN OBESE!!!

no it isnt. typical nick the know it all response think you know it all when you havent even seen one. :rolleyes:

[RUDERIOT]

Why don't we address Jays' problem instead of flyin' off into a full blown pissin' match.

Jay, I've had great luck over the years at Bearings Inc. They're a chain & are in most larger cities. I've only been unable to get one bearing that I needed there ; an O.M.C. top roller, which is a proprietary piece.

[Rodney Nance]

Prof OB You are right about there choice of top main bearings. When they went from the small top bearing to the large one a very smart fellow asked me why would you cut aluminum out of the block that supports the bearing. Why not put a better bearing in it and keep the extra meat? Thats what we still do. Works pretty well.

[The Big Al]

I'm thinking about running for a public office myself, can I expect yo support? Here's my platform - I'm gonna screw less than these other guys do::D


my vote!

Your in!

[oldstv]

I am a bearing distributor in Georgia, give me the part numbers off the bearings you want and I'll check on the availability for you if you would like me to. There are standards to which all bearings are manufactured but we do prefer some manufactures over others. If I can help in your search let me know. My email address is [email protected].
Scott..

[pirogue]

since were half assed on the bearing subject, may i ask this? i just bought an aftermarket lower crank bearing for my brother's drag motor(260), the old came with a nylon cage, this one i bought same p/n and manufacture from MOTION INDUSTRIES came with a steel cage, is there any danger there?

thanks hope i not off base here.

[Jay Smith]

Scott,
Ive got the upper( large pressed on ) and lower ( pressed on ) crank 2.5 bearings covered ( aftermarket and a better grade SKS 6308, & 5208) ( I also can press in the internal bearing in the 2.5 91-95 big top cap model Its the rod bearings ( big end ) that I've been told by my bearing folks is the stickler........

Thanks

[LARRY D]

Jay, just checked and merc has a lot in stock. later Larry D:eek:

[Jay Smith]

Thanks Larry , Trae called and said they were available, like I said earlier I order enough bearings to do 6 to 10 engines at a time and repeat that order once every 45 days or so , the availability news makes me ( and customers ) breath a bit easier ! LOL..........

Call me sometimes ......

[oldstv]

send me an email and I'll answer your question. I had a nice long post yesterday that the server would not let me put on.
Jay if you ever need bearings let me know..[SKF, NSK, etc,etc,etc,]
Scott.. [email protected]..

[Prof. O/B]

Prof OB You are right about there choice of top main bearings. When they went from the small top bearing to the large one a very smart fellow asked me why would you cut aluminum out of the block that supports the bearing. Why not put a better bearing in it and keep the extra meat? Thats what we still do. Works pretty well.

Well truthfully, that would have been my vote too. The larger the bearing the more surface-feet per minute the bearing will be required to run at the same RPM. What Merc should have done was "beefed-up" the support area around the existing bearing. Ray Charles could have see increasing block mass at the right places would have both dampen the vibration against harmonic distortion, while at the same time give the block the rigidity to resist "crank walk". Admittedly, the 4-bolt main was a good move, but what would I know? I just another Jack Ass with an opinion. The 1st. 2.5 Ltr motor I looked at, I questioned why they did not add a Lb. or two to the block at the right places where they could have had a true Hi-Perf. Motor, is aluminum that expensive? ........Prof. O/B :D

[T-REX]

I thank everbody oughtta buy new oem bear'inz when rebuild'in der mota'z.....it only makes sense!!!!!!

Now, when ya'll buy them new bear'ins, JUSS BOX UP ALL THEM OLE ONES AN SEND'UM TA ME!!!......I am a proud junk man, and I sleep quite well while use'in used bear'inz!!!!.....Why give Mercury all dat money, hell spend dat money wher it'll do ya sum good....Less go to tha titty bar!!!!:D :D

[Prof. O/B]

my vote!

Your in!

Big Al, does this mean I can count on you for a little "Financial Support" for my intended run, or am I just going to get some that damn "Moral Support". A man in business for hisself should be able to give me some of the former rather than the latter. "Everybody" knows people in business for themselves are all "rich". That's why your customers expect those "deep discounts" when they want to buy something. They all know you are setting on a "virtual" Gold Mine. The only problem with a "virtual" gold mine is its like "virtual reality". It ain't real! Ha! Ha!:D

As far as my political ambitions, I want tell you "I actually voted for it before I voted against", cause I most probably wouldn't have voted at all. If you are like me, I figure the less them S.O.B.'s vote on, the better off I am. I think we should just drop all the pretenses of actually having a democratic goverment, and just let the oil companies and the big pharmaceuticals vote direct. That way they can cut-out the "middlemen", which hopefully, would allow them to actually lower their prices. You know all that bribery, and exotic cruises has got to be costing the multi-nationals a ton of money. And I promise you this, you wouldn't ctach me with $90,000 in the refrigerator, I've have that money in a numbered Swiss bank account where it belongs!:D

[jphii]

Why give Mercury all dat money, hell spend dat money wher it'll do ya sum good....Less go to tha titty bar!!!!:D :D

I'm in!:D

[Pete Budka]

since were half assed on the bearing subject, may i ask this? i just bought an aftermarket lower crank bearing for my brother's drag motor(260), the old came with a nylon cage, this one i bought same p/n and manufacture from MOTION INDUSTRIES came with a steel cage, is there any danger there?

thanks hope i not off base here.

Good looking boat in your avatar Craig ! REMEMBER !!!! I get first dibs when your ready to sell !!!!!!!

Pete