Mercury 850 (What did I just buy?)

[Air Dog]

Anyone owned a mid 70's ( I am guessing ) Mercury 85 hp (4 cyl) outboard that can help me out?

Picked it up yesterday to bolt onto the back of a Checkmate Mx-13 project I am working on.

Can decide whehter I bought something that will work or should I dump it and keep looking?

It has a blue strip on the cowl. I am guessing 1973-1976 range and seems to run fine.

Lower unit has some damage that has been repaired, but seems clean with very little salt pitting.

Any help is appreciated.

:smiletest:

[Da Bull]

Three things to watch out for.
Old wiring on powerhead and control harness.
Water leaking around sleaves.
Tiny pinholes in exaust baffle.

DB

[largecar91]

Good motors. Make sure comp. readings are even. Always replace waterpump impeller every year. Use good fuel and oil and keep em pumping H2O and they will last a long time. No real hop up mods for these engines.

[benski]

If you want to track down the year the motor was built, you can post the serial number here, several people will be able to help.:D

[ssmith007]

Sounds like a great combo. Smitty

[cm21]

Hey Air Dog- I run a slightly newer vesion of that motor and have not had any problems though I don't use it too often.

I've been told that the inline 4's are very resilient as compared to the inline 6's.

I know a guy who runs one on a 12' Verga and has said that he "runs it hard and just can't break it".....

[delawarerick]

I ran the he!! out of a 74 merc 850 hard to kill. Used good gas and decarbed every 100 hours. Was one of the best engines I ever had. Rick

[Air Dog]

Thanks for all the replies.

I was really close to dumping it and looking for a newer one, but I got such a deal on it I would much rather use it.

A mechanic told me they have spark problems and that I should get rid of it, but I think I will roll the dice.

Should make a 13' checkmate screw pretty good.

There is no trim, but I don't think I will need it.

Maybe I can find a cheap jack plate for it.

:thumbsup:

[slowverado]

I've got one "brand new" sitting on a rack in my shop, never been used to my knowledge... someone should take it off my hands.

[delawarerick]

What a merc 850?

[slowverado]

yep...

[Fast Fig]

Three things to watch out for.
Old wiring on powerhead and control harness.
Water leaking around sleaves.
Tiny pinholes in exaust baffle.

DB

The quality of the insulation on the wiring harnesses is not the best, I will agree they have come a long way with the late models.

Something cool, these fit 15"or 20" mids.........same stud pattern from 4cyl. to 6cyl. as well, nice to be able to mix and match.

[Fast Fig]

I've got one "brand new" sitting on a rack in my shop, never been used to my knowledge... someone should take it off my hands.

If you decide to part with it, how much you need to get for it?

If I bought it, I have a spare 15" mid for it..........lol

[slowverado]

make an offer fig... I thought I had some pics of it... I'll get some tomorrow afternoon.

Also have this 650 that was for some reason left outside under an old powercat deck-boat. its all there, in pretty sore shape but all there.

[Air Dog]

Make me an offer on the 850 I just picked up and I may part with it???