Is going from 115hp to 140hp worth it?

[Spaceman Spiff]

Mercury started downgrading the in-line six a little bit after the V6 came out in the late 70s. So sometimes it wasn’t really downgrading it so much is making the number read lower should a V6 looked more attractive. I don’t think there’s really any difference between 80 140 and an 83 115. Is this buying an extra motor? Or is the swapping your motor that you already know and trust for another motor that you don’t really know anything about. If you’re getting a second motor it’s different.

It would be for an upgrade

[Spaceman Spiff]

I do see a 150 Black Max for a grand, but it has a jet pump.

[derekfl]

It would be for an upgrade

. It means you are losing your orig motor? Pass.

[Spaceman Spiff]

. It means you are losing your orig motor? Pass.

Just for clarity, I should pass on the 140 I6 in the original post or the 150 Black Max with a jet or both?

[derekfl]

if he wants to trade his for yours, there is a reason. don't trust his motor. if he is selling his motor for 3-500 bucks, and it sounds good, buy it. the jet motor. you need mid, clamp, trim and lower unit. unless you are gonna cut the bottom of your boat out and put the jet in it, hold off on a 150. maybe scare up a blown one for the parts then find one that has bad compression in one hole or a blown drive...

[Spaceman Spiff]

It looks like an 86 ish 150hp black max outboard with a jet pump in place of the LU. It's for sale for a grand. It has the clamp and PTT. I thought that the jet was basically interchangeable with the LU. While robbing like 25-30% of the efficiency.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Here it is

[derekfl]

that is different. tell him 500. you can run it while tryna scare up a lower unit. some of those outboard jets are inside the boat with pump bolted to the hull like a jet ski. and a whole motor with blown powerhead may still be least pricey way to get a lower unit. just remember you are taking off a 300 lb motor and putting on a 400 lb motor.

[OnPad]

Here it is

Pretty nice looking for a grand!! If it checks out?
Lower unit is a easy, direct swap with pump.
I would trade you a lower for the pump, (as would someone else), if you went that way.

[Spaceman Spiff]

3392089[/URL]]Pretty nice looking for a grand!! If it checks out?
Lower unit is a easy, direct swap with pump.
I would trade you a lower for the pump, (as would someone else), if you went that way.

That's good to know. I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.

[LakeFever]

Check compression and if good i say buy

[Spaceman Spiff]

Pretty nice looking for a grand!! If it checks out?
Lower unit is a easy, direct swap with pump.
I would trade you a lower for the pump, (as would someone else), if you went that way.

Assuming it's on a stand or boat, how do I check out the pump to be sure it's in good shape? I've never had anything to with a jet pump before.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I put a 13 1/4 x 19 SS prop on my 115 and got 46mph both directions. Then I went camping at Detroit lake and took my old 13 1/4 x 19 AL prop that's rough and got 38mph. I then tried a like new 13 3/4 x 15 AL prop and also hit 38mph. But I ran into some fuel issues. It didn't want to idle and it was having trouble restarting, especially after tilting. I did manage to tow a bigger boat in that had knocked their outdrive off in some shallow water though. I'm going to rebuild the fuel pump and replace the fuel lines and filters and see if that helps any before I go after the 150 Black Max. I guess 46 isn't too bad though.

[OnPad]

Assuming it's on a stand or boat, how do I check out the pump to be sure it's in good shape? I've never had anything to with a jet pump before.

If it's been abused, it would be pretty noticeable. The reverse bucket would be ripped off, the intake grate and impeller, would be all beat up. If you could grab the main driveshaft, or impeller, you could possibly see if there was play in the bearings. Make sure the impeller hasn't made contact with the bowl, should fit pretty tight, Fairly simple design, no gearbox to fail.

Outboard Pumps can be hard on driveshaft splines and powerheads, because they spin high rpm constantly.

[Spaceman Spiff]

A couple weeks ago, there were several TOPs from 90-150 for sale near me. As well as the 150 Black Max. Now they are all sold. Still a market for them in this area. I guess I will try to find a prop to get me over 50mph with my Mariner.