buying a 175 merc optimax pro xs. on boat but not rigged. what all do i need?

**derekfl** · 03-26-2023, 06:52 AM

he claims it is an almost no hour motor. and looks it. never had a head bolt loosened and flywheel and starter teeth look like they never met. so i start surfing and find merc smartcraft 1000. is there an aftermarket alternative that can interface with the ecm correctly? or is that OEM setup my best alternative. and if i buy gauges and harness, what else am i gonna need? also, is there something like the car OBD thingy i can get to check the engine hours before buying? it is a bit of a pig in a poke as it can not be run as it sits. flywheel turns free and shows compression by hand. gonna hot wire it for compression test is it possible to hook up power and plug cable into tach and engine and start it? or is there a lot more to it than that for a test fire. thanks for your time.

**derekfl** · 03-26-2023, 07:24 AM

i also have no idea what the original engine was. and there is no tach or speedo in the dash. the rest of gauges are there and i have no idea if any or all got to go... the boat was called a champion and the MIC code says foldable Rib in melbourne florida. it is a retired county sherrif boat. looks like a cross between a flats boat and a 24-7.

**XstreamVking** · 03-26-2023, 09:14 AM

You can run digital or analog gauges on those. Might have a 9 pin or a 13 pin harness connector, depends on the year. You can jump start it but also need a way to shut it off. Like disconnecting the fuel pump wires.

**derekfl** · 03-26-2023, 09:55 AM

it is an 06. no wire harness from helm to engine. seller says i need batt + and - and ignition switch. although from what you are saying it may keep running? i downloaded the manualand it looks like you can prime oil and fuel with multiple shifter cycles. is there any way to read engine hours without an sc1000 tach or digital diagnostic tool? thank you a bunch.

**XstreamVking** · 03-26-2023, 10:09 AM

No other way to see hrs. Good idea to check out the coils (known to be bad), and t- stats and prime with fuel and oil. Lotta people forget about the shutting down part. Killing the elec fuel pump works well.

**XstreamVking** · 03-26-2023, 12:42 PM

As long as you have a working key sw it should be fine. No other way to get hrs. but smart craft or scan tool

**derekfl** · 03-26-2023, 12:57 PM

just found it's twin brother. 3k more OX66 225 yamaha. 01 motor 650 hours. and the 2k i would have to spend to get the merc version going makes them the essentially same price. prettier boat too...