New to me Mercury

[Ausbun324]

Looking for some insight on what I got myself involved in. I bought a boat with a Mercury that has the serial number 0G337593 then under that is says 140 Jet. It has a propeller now. Seems maybe I got myself a mixed up piece of parts outboard. It is a 1996 and running carbs with no oil injection. I would appreciate any info you guys may be able to provide.

[FUJIMO]

...welcome to scream & fly. how's the weather out there today?......

[Dave S]

Sounds like a fn motor....

[tlwjkw]

power head is XR6 according ta Merc...

[Ausbun324]

Can you guys take a peek at these pics and help me better understand what I got. Been struggling to find much useful info and I know all the guys with all the knowledge on these engines are here. Thanks for any help.

[Jim Speros]

Pretty sure an XR6 is a 2.5 liter. This engine looks like an early 200 or 2.4 HP It has a H P flywheel and air inlets and light weight cowl. With no paint on block also could indicate it was a high performance engine. Serial number on mid section suggests to me the powerhead was replaced with an older drop on possibly.
Have you checked compression yet?

[Jim Speros]

What does the mid section look like. Does it have a one piece exhaust plate?

[Ausbun324]

The previous owner me the owner before him changed the lower unit and that is why the tag says 140 jet. It looks to have a bobs low water pickup and the exhaust looks to be drilled on.

[Ausbun324]

The thing doesn't run anywhere near like it should. I Ned to find a good engine builder near the northwest to dial the engine in for me. All I have found around here are regular repair shops. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Jim Speros]

There is a missing piece . The lower mount cover. The plastic cowl piece is hiding exhaust plates. It appears to have solid mounts on lower anyway.

All troubleshooting starts with compression and spark check on all cylinders. If both check out issue is generally fuel. Fuel is the least expensive and usually easiest to attend to.
If compression is good a good repair shop should be able to get you going. Bad compression requires a builder or remain replacement.

[OnPad]

Jim nailed it. Good advice!

[tlwjkw]

Pretty sure an XR6 is a 2.5 liter. This engine looks like an early 200 or 2.4 HP It has a H P flywheel and air inlets and light weight cowl. With no paint on block also could indicate it was a high performance engine. Serial number on mid section suggests to me the powerhead was replaced with an older drop on possibly.
Have you checked compression yet?

xr6 is a 2.5.. you are pretty much goin' in tha right direction jim... this one (power head) is early high perf for sure.. probably a BP.. tha high performance oval port "usually" has a 200 stamped in tha welsh plug which this one doesn't...

[OnPad]

A couple things you could look for that would help identify power head. What carbs are on it wh-?. How many pedals on reed cages? Date under timing arm? One or two piece exhaust adapter plate? Any info on welch plug?

As Jim said, a decent shop should do compression test, a once over on electrical using a dva. Clean carbs, check timing, waterpump, bleed lines, and fuel delivery system. Should get you running better.
Don't forget that missing part on your lower motor mount.

[Ausbun324]

Thanks for the info guys. I will do some more looking at things as soon as I find the time

[25two.stroke]

Yes, bridgeport block based on block serial. Early one that woulda come with an updraft air intake or maybe carbs. Can't tell from the pics if you have 5 or 7 petal reeds, but regardless it looks like that thing was pieced together to haul ass. Don't trip on the jet, someone just grabbed a jet clamp and used it to put that engine together. Engine is not a 1996, maybe the transom clamp is. Engine is an early 80s. Coned fishing lower unit, You would have to pull it off and tell us the casting number on the case if you care to know EXACTLY what lower unit it is.

You are missing the lower motor mount cover in that last picture, so make sure you get one of those before you take that boat out on the water.