280 vs 260

[Charli]

Are the 280's a substantial increase in power over a 260? I have a set of LL stamped 260's with offshore mids that run like a champ and idle perfect. I also have Simon alt kits on both, so I am not concerned with charging system, etc. I was wondering what the real world hp improvement is on a 280 vs a 260, hp wise. Head and shoulders? Just a touch? Huge power?

[stoneman]

I have had both 260 and 280 on the same boat, Stv Euro. I feel that the 280 pulls harder in the mid range and top end, more torque.
It sounds like your 260's are doing a good job for you! I would not say a head and shoulders improvement but a moderate improvement.
When I changed motors with a prop change I saw a 10 mph gain.

[Charli]

I have had both 260 and 280 on the same boat, Stv Euro. I feel that the 280 pulls harder in the mid range and top end, more torque.
It sounds like your 260's are doing a good job for you! I would not say a head and shoulders improvement but a moderate improvement.
When I changed motors with a prop change I saw a 10 mph gain.

Exactly what I wanted. Thank you for your info! Yes, my 260's took a little dialing in, but they have been fantastic since then.

[MrG]

260 is not open in the chest like a 280 also 280s have a nice finger port right to the boost ports helps a lot in mid range

[Jay Smith]

Ive build tons of both , I’d lean toward the 280 lots more bottom and mid range torque and a hardier charging system …

Jay @ JSRE

[mach351]

There’s a reason Mercury moved on from the 260 and built the 280…..just sayin lol

[Will hedrick]

Does the 260,s run gold rings like the 280?

[Flatlander]

Does the 260,s run gold rings like the 280?

yes sir, however there is an alternative ring that is less expensive but probably won't live quite as long.

[Will hedrick]

I was thinking they might, that's yi went with the 300,I wanted something that I was not gonna have to rebuild every 150 hours roughly

[Capt.Insane-o]

I have never made the fabled 100 hour mark when run as advertised.

[Flatlander]

I must have good luck on my side, been making it to 120-130 hrs and still has life left in the rings. I only spin it around 7500 though...

[Will hedrick]

I must have good luck on my side, been making it to 120-130 hrs and still has life left in the rings. I only spin it around 7500 though...

Indeed, if one makes it to 150 imo it's time to rebuild regardless of compression etc., and with the price of gold nowadays, no telling what ring kit cost

[Flatlander]

Indeed, if one makes it to 150 imo it's time to rebuild regardless of compression etc., and with the price of gold nowadays, no telling what ring kit cost

Mine is on the bench right now coming apart to freshened up. Yep, rings are $600.00 nowadays!! ain't nothing cheap anymore...
Still love the 260 though!

[rjdubiel]

The last two nic motors I had the bottom rings still had gold on them, top ring didn't. Anyone ever just replace the top ring and leave the bottom and see how long the bottom ring lasted? If apart may as well do both but just wondering.

[Flatlander]

The last two nic motors I had the bottom rings still had gold on them, top ring didn't. Anyone ever just replace the top ring and leave the bottom and see how long the bottom ring lasted? If apart may as well do both but just wondering.

I've heard of it being done, but never found out how long the bottom ring lasted. Kind of a crap shoot.... Like you said, might as well bite the bullet and do all of them as long as it is apart. It does sting though!