I found a merc 260!down here in Colombia.

[ratman67]

If the engine is still running ok, you probably wont need any pistons. New pistons have different weights. Thats why you use a digtal gram scale to make sure they are usable. Don't know where you'd find a gram scale in columbia though, lol. Many things to know to build these motors properly. Big-block chevy's they ain't. You familiar with the 260's charging system?

Yeah I feel ya on the scale. The ones they sell here the tare weight is 1 kg lol
2 years ago one of my workers found a 40kg white square grouper floating near my island. It was like he hit the lottery even at the three dollars a gram retail price locally (it’s a dollar fiddy a G in medellin) he was rich btch. Lol

No I’m not familiar with the 260 charging or ign system yet. What should I look for as far as inherent problems with this engine?
If the bores and pistons are in good shape should I still swap for the top pinned pistons or can my existing pistons be modified to be to pinned?Thx. Rm