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Im thinkimg of buying my first boat. It has twin merc 260 hp. I believe they are 1996. They have alien cowls and about 120 hrs.
What do I need to know about these engines? What is the life expectancy? Are they good engines? Strengths and weaknesses? Thanks for the help.
If this is your first boat and you have to ask those questions, you would best leave a boat like that to someone who already knows the answers. But that's just my opinion.
I dont mean to sound clueless. I am a high performance marine mechanic by trade, but I deal with in boards and sterndrives. Mostly bbc or mecury racing. I can fix or work on anything. Just looking for some tips from your outboard experience. If you need any help with an i/o i am your guy but outboards will be new to me.
I had twin 260's on my first Liberator. THEY SUCK!! Tempermental to start sometimes and blew up 3 times the first two years and they had less than 50 original hours on them. They also got 1.5 mpg. 42 gallons and it would literally run out of gas at 65 miles! When premium gas was $4 a gallon and with oil, it cost me $3 A MILE to drive it. At 100 mph, that's 5 bucks A MINUTE!!!
120 hours she is going to need rings ,i would do a leak down before purchase ,pressure check gear cases
fuel injectors may need cleaning at some point
Also, electrical components break all the time, so you will need a spare stator, a couple of spare coils and a couple of spare switch boxes.Quote:
Originally Posted by eli
They are great engines but high maintenance.
If you are good at trouble shooting and can get spares quickly, they are a good choice.
Is the boat you are looking at all white by chance?Quote:
Originally Posted by NOACK15
sure sounds like the 25' Talon mostly white with some purple that was local to me?i hear from some peeps in the know that it is a VERY nice piece!Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg G
That would be the boat. Im not sure if im interested or not. Im trying to get some more info on the engines. I dont want to waste anyones time. I figured the outboards would be more fuel efficient and cheaper to maintain than what I am used to but it doesn't sound like it.
What kind of leak down numbers would I be looking for. Gear cases and injectors would not be a big deal. We have a injector machine at the shop. ThanksQuote:
Originally Posted by eli
:reddevil:Don't worry about it........open your wallet ......you Hp I/O mechanics make the big bucks!
lol..
The new 300xs motors are good on gas. At 50-60 mph my 25 Liberator with two 300's gets 3.7 mpg. Running 90-110 all day will still get over 2.5 mpg. It runs 68 at 4000 rpm and 90 at 5000. I'd think a 25 Talon would get the same.
@120 hours a 260 is about done.
a good low hour motor 1 to 3 %Quote:
Originally Posted by NOACK15
generally 3 to 5% is good anything above 5 % is telling you another leak down in 20 hours see where were at
I got one one 99.9 hours :eek: get some!!lolQuote:
Originally Posted by PARKER RABE
If you like the boat and it's a good deal do it, 260's are desirable engines you can sell them and swap out powerheads for 2.5 promax powerheads and have better mileage less maintainence and almost as strong of an engine.
Promaxes are very trouble free and almost indestructible in comparison.
If you like the boat, overhaul the engines with rings and top pins and run them this season then decide what to do with them. Now you know they are sport/race engines that need a lot of fuel/oil and maintenance but as we say in the Jeep community - it is not miles per gallon, it is smiles per gallon.
Oh, and the alternators on these engines...
:iagree:....what you may give up on mph's you should easily gain in longevity, shift-ability and wrenching!.....JMHOQuote:
Originally Posted by 90 5.0
Don't get involved at all with those engines. Good luck.
Thanks for all the info. I think I will be better off saving some more money and trying to get something with 300s. Maybe a 26 dcb or maybe Ill get an I/O .
I will put in my $.02...
There is no finer feeling than being pushed into your seat by 12 cylinders singing the 2-stroke song... The smell... The looks of some people hating you for burning holes in the ozone, the "nods of approval" from fellow Screamers and Flyers, and the ones that are trying to figure out how crazy you are...
A good old old friend of mine says, "Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go?"
This thread just seemed like there was too much logic and sense...
[QUOTE=PARKER RABE;2882171]@120 hours a 260 is about done.[/
C'mon Parker... just getting broke in:D:D
everytime i get behind the wheel and fire up the twins i feel like its the first time all over again the excitement the thrill never gets old
the sound ,the roll from 20 to 100 passengers looks on there faces ,get some jestures from other boats is ok they think i,m the maniac in there over loaded pontoon
get a manual and learn to work on them they are some of the easiest motors to wrench on and are cool to boot .and go have a blast