Bought a boat! 1990 200 Striper

[fitz73222]

Remember fellows, I thought that this engine may be a hybrid, cause at least she has '78 cowls which gets us back to the big single ram trim piston with a boat mounted hydraulic pump and hydraulic lines running back into the boat to the pump. That system was through '82-'83 I believe. I need the PH number and the midsection number. Not sure why we're seeing wiring coming out from under the pan but my guess is the trim pump got power and up /down harness wiring from the main engine harness. I think everything is what it is supposed to be for a '78-'81 ish Merc. Where did '84 come from anyway?

Totally forgot about the single ram.   The go fasters used to love them.  I am trying to forget all those dual float carbs   Looks like I'm doing a good job of it      

Farley, have you ever set the floats using air pressure?  Amazing what a difference it made on those engines.

Loye, never heard of the air pressure method. I've done those carbs and setting the float height can be a pain with a scale but other than that just your average dual chamber carb...

[Aquamaniac]

OK....I fell down on the job and failed to take pics today  
However, I do have things to report to all the kind folks here trying to help.
I got the holes drilled and the tow eye installed. (without sealer) I'll uninstall and seal when home.
Pulled that sweet thing straight by the mechanics place (I think I mentioned he had found a good T/T unit for it)
We pulled covers off and indeed, this is one mixed up motor... old school heads, old school fuel pump, old single cylinder T/T with external pump, newer ignition system, newer lower unit. He felt mount was from freshwater or maybe sat in the garage. No corrosion!
We got the T/T pump swapped and it now works beautifully.
We are replacing the thermostats, popoff, and plugs.
We pulled the lower unit and checked impeller. Indeed, virtually new (seller said he had replaced)

More good news......
Mechanic friend says motor runs very well...and should continue to.
Also he said trailer really was OK....just surface rust on axles. Needs a couple tires replaced, guide poles, safety chains, etc....but overall, serviceable! Might just change bearings to be sure.
He was impressed with how nice the boat was overall.

So, all in all, a good day! Definitely settling for me that my good deal was, in fact, a good deal!
I will ask him about the wires.....I suspect they are indeed (or at least... 'were'   ) connected to the T/T system in this motor's former life.
Anyway, thanks again for all the help....I am sure I will be bugging you with more questions....already have a long list!
I will try to post up some more pics when I do finally get her home. We are going to finish up the motor work and put her in the water tomorrow afternoon. I'll keep my fingers crossed  

[seabob4]

Tom, supposed to be gorgeous tomorrow, so enjoy the day!!!    

[wingtime]

Sounds like you have yourself a FrankenMerc! COOL!  Thats great news!  As Bob said it is going to be a beautiful week!

[CTsalt12]

For the soft spots (I had the same issue) I would do this:
Bent a thin nail into an "L", put it into your power drill, stick it into the holes, and drill out as much bad wood as you can.  Drill a few more exploratory holes in all directions, but mostly towards stern as this is where the water will drip and drain, doing the same process to get out as much bad wood as possible.  Suck out as much bad wood with a vacuum  as well.  Then pour as much 2 part epoxy as possible in there, make sure to swirl it around with a bobby pin or something to break the bubbles and let it soak into the holes all around your floor.  Worked like a charm for me.

[Aquamaniac]

CT: thanks, I like the 'L' idea

Well, more progress to report.....
Got the trailer a bit more ready with safety chains and guide poles.
Got the bow eye repair sealed. Decided on 4200 just in case it needed repair down the road. Looks pretty good!
Got the T/T pump bracket back on and bolted in place on mount.
Got the motor squared away with new plugs, , new thermostats, new pop off,. even some wire repair.
Tried to find the marks you folks spoke of...but no luck.
Took some pics...but not sure they will help. Guess it is simply a FrankenMerc and will leave it at that as long as it runs!





Parts got in late so will water test tomorrow AM....so wish me luck! Thanks.

[Aswaff400]

that trim and tilt bracket looks very similar to the mercury racing brackets. ill see if I can find a pic

edit:
yup, looks identical to the mercury racing brackets

[Aquamaniac]

And here I thought you boys were going to wish me luck!!!!
Guess I should have been more clear......GOOD luck is what I was after, but bad luck is calling my name. :cry:

Motor runs great......unfortunately neither I, nor the mechanic, saw the forest for the trees. Course no one here seems to have caught it either......

It a short shaft motor mounted on a long shaft boat...ARRRGGGHHH :evil:

It ran great and at first we thought it had a spun hub on prop. Swapped the hub....no change. Then it dawns.....cavitating when you hit it because it is short shaft!!!!
Needless to say.....if anyone out there has an extension ( 5" housing, shafts, studs, etc) for a V6 150-200 Merc for a reasonable sum....
PLEASE help me out.
Thanks.....
Tom

[dburr]

Wow... Right there in the first picture of the stern... Well, we are a bunch of observant old geezers...    

[Callyb]

Oh yeah, how about that chit. :!: That sucks man. :(

P.S. Good luck.

[gran398]

Not great, but no biggee.

Here ya go:

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=10985

[wingtime]

Don't worry a similar thing happened to me...  I bought a Used 200 Merc.  I was told it was a 25" shaft...  It looked like a long shaft... but it wasn't...  turns out the seller was measuring the input shaft length of a lower unit he had.... well that's not how it works!  I ended up swapping the center section or "can" and the lower unit straight up for 25" models...  Thats I ended up with a FrankenMerc with a 90's powerhead and 2000's can and bracket... and who knows what year lower unit.  All I needed was some gaskets and some elbow grease.     Also you can get the extension like Scott suggested.... or just sell the motor and get a long shaft model.

[fitz73222]

I'll walk you through the details for the shaft extension kit install. Do a compression test on the engine to make sure she is healthy before you drop the $500 for the kit.

[Aquamaniac]

Compression good all cylinders. Motor runs well....just too short!

[fitz73222]

Looks like kit #611 from Bay. Was this supposed to be a running rig or did someone just throw this thing together and slap a for sale sign on it? I can tell you the PO had to know this or was just a complete idiot. This thing never ran right obviously.