Re: Best source of info for Mercruiser "0" drives (60/80/90 hp)

[amuller]

quote BillW:

I looked at the boatinfo website manual. It’s the same as mine; although mine is a hard cover binder. In mine, the latest revision seems to be about 1973. although the website manual is copy written 1988, if you look at the pages pertinent to your engine, they, too, have the last revisions in the early 70’s anyway, same as mine. (The little numbers down on the bottom of each page, like “570”, means that page was last revised in May, 1970.)

I was looking through the manual. What a piece of cool mechanical history you have! Hydraulic shift in the bell housing! Tillotson MD carbs that look like they came off my 16 hp Scott Atwater, except they have an accelerator pump! (On the 60, at least.) Water pump right on the top cover of the outdrive! The whole engine just hangs in space, with no front mount! An outboard-type alternator that wouldn’t show up again until the 470 type ‘Cruisers!

The only ones I ever saw were twins, in one boat, that were being removed and junked, to repower with an OMC stringer drive. As I recall, way back in about 1975, those engines were already dead from salt water damage and water intrusion, just like you speculated…..

They are interesting. Perhaps reflecting some of Kiekhaefer’s mechanical goofiness?

Wet liner auto engines seem mostly a French thing–Peugeot, Renault, Citroen all used them. it used to be possible to get a set of pistons and liners from J. C. Whitney for $100.

The manual show a fresh water cooling option for the 60 hp but not for the 80 or 90. Wonder why. I have my doubts that the stock system could provide adequate circulation around the head and liners.

The Volvo-Penta drives used a lot by Bayliner, etc, often lack a front mount, and that’s a much heavier system–2.3 liter iron block engine. But they also have fresh water cooling and other "premium" features.

Mercury no longer makes 4 cylinder outdrives, and I think not Volvo either. With the high quality of 4-stroke outboards I guess there isn’t much of a logical case to be made for them.