Mercury question ?

**Mercman80** · 05-20-2019, 12:25 AM

Im looking for a v6 merc and just wanting to know more ...what outboards had plated cylinders and what ones had steel ...is that the difference between mercury performance and the fishing motors ?

**89Talon18** · 05-20-2019, 01:31 PM

I believe all 2.4 liter motor with the exception of the XR4 had chrome bore, i believe the early bridgeport motors were also chrome bore and changed to nickel in the later years and the 2 liter motor were all iron bore that im aware of. Im sure someone will chime in and give a more detailed list

**Merc 2.5** · 05-21-2019, 04:43 PM

2.4 175 and 2.4 200 chrome , 2.4 150 xr4 steel , 2.5 fishin mota steel , 2.0 steel, pretty much as talon said ,

**eli** · 05-21-2019, 05:27 PM

2.4 175 is steel bore 91 or 92 2.5 hi perf started nic plated bore later bridge port was nic bore as far as I know but I don’t know anything

**Merc 2.5** · 05-21-2019, 05:46 PM

2.4 175 is a vertical chrome motor least in 80s

**Mercman80** · 05-21-2019, 06:17 PM

I want to find a performance motor and I have been looking but wanna know more what I'm looking for befor I spend that much money ....the blocks with no paint? Or is there any other way to tell what's what ....like the 245 260 280s bridgeport or 2.5 things like that

**flabum1017** · 05-21-2019, 08:56 PM

Maybe you should tell us what boat it's going on first.... big differences in performance engines considering weight and usage.

**Merc 2.5** · 05-21-2019, 09:07 PM

Any ov motors u mention above will be no paint "natural" race motors , 2.4 has a Bridgeport also no paint , all these motors take lots of maintenance, un less ur racing , u need find a late 90s 2.5 200 or a promax 225 , good durability, good power , without having rering and bearings every 100 hrs or so. Chrome bores are not as forgiving as a steel motor , scuff a chrome and gotta resleeve , scuff a steel mite can hone or worst case rebore , lots easier to port a steel motor , but the ole 2.4 200 runs good with few mods but can get that power with less $ goin to a 2.5

**Mercman80** · 05-21-2019, 10:29 PM

I have had 5 or 6 normal 150-200 black max and a handful l of lake boats but never had a performance merc ..I want to go next level fast ......not in a hurry I'll get there in the next summer or 2 when I know more about what I need ...but I know I don't want a fishing or family boat....fast is what I'm looking for but my pockets are not as deep as some guys and I need to find the best bang for my money ....scam and fly has been the only place I can find good info and ppl that reply to questions Thank You

**flabum1017** · 05-21-2019, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by Mercman80

I have had 5 or 6 normal 150-200 black max and a handful l of lake boats but never had a performance merc ..I want to go next level fast ......not in a hurry I'll get there in the next summer or 2 when I know more about what I need ...but I know I don't want a fishing or family boat....fast is what I'm looking for but my pockets are not as deep as some guys and I need to find the best bang for my money ....scam and fly has been the only place I can find good info and ppl that reply to questions Thank You

OK, so what boat, weight, purpose? A 500 pound runner to just go fast or a 1500 poud bass boat or a 3000 pound center console for fishing?

**Mercman80** · 05-22-2019, 12:32 AM

Seebold ski eagle ...I have an pontoon we use for fun I just want a hotrod and don't have money for a svt or a allison

**89Talon18** · 05-22-2019, 12:41 AM

Like merc 2.5 said your best bet is to find a nice 2.5 200 or a 225 promax. If your looking to hot rod a 2.5 200 look for a FF prefix motor they are very close to the promax in the exhaust chest. If you have a very light weight boat a bridgeport or a older mod vp motor will do well. Just keep in mind that the bridges in a bridgeport do crack and when they do you really have only 2 options to fix them. Weld the bridge and have it re nickled or sleeve. Before you buy any motor make sure you do a compression test or a leak down test, preferably a leak down and be there when its preformed.

**Mercman80** · 05-22-2019, 12:46 AM

Thank you for everyone that reply

**89Talon18** · 05-22-2019, 12:46 AM

Another thing to is your budget will play a roll in what kind of motor you end up with.

**Mercman80** · 05-22-2019, 12:56 AM

On my budget I may have to find a performance motor that needs built and go from there or just get a a power head and get a foot and mid later trying to find cheapest way to get started