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Contemplating buying a 68b Mercury 650

J

jamesq78

New member
"I was just looking through so

"I was just looking through some classifieds in my area, and I found a 1968 Mercury 650 outboard. From the pictures, it looks to be in very good shape. I called the guy that owns it, he said that he took it in on trade, and did some work to the lower end, and while he had it apart, replaced the impeller. Compression is 110,105,105,110. $500 with foreward controls. Is this worth looking into, or is it too old to find parts for if something were to happen? I just don't want to have another problem motor like my Force was.

James"
 
"James, you can probably find

"James, you can probably find an 1988, same horsepower (almost - no 65's anymore), for about that much. And with that you would get (modern) electronic ignition.

These higher "mid-sized" outboards are not as popular as they once were (when they were "big" motors) which is keeping the prices down. A 9.9 will often sell for more than a 90 horse (used of course). People want 150's for their bassboats, or under 40 for their utilities. It has left a used "over supply" in this mid-range..

Additionally, yes, parts for a 68 are getting scarce.

Just as one example of somthing you may need, took a quick look at the Merc site and although rebuild kits are still available for the carbs, they go for over 70 bucks a piece/per carb.

Compare that to a mid 80's 70 horse at about 30 bucks - plus all the individual carb parts (jets etc) are still available separately...

In this horsepower range, say in a 20 year old motor, I may tend to look for an OMC.

I personally think they were a little better built, are a little more economical to maintain (as far as major and ignition components) and there just seems to be a much larger used market out there in most areas.

But that is just an opinion, and any outboard that runs trouble free is a good outboard but I wouldn't drop 500 on a 40 year old model, when you can pick up a 20 year old for about the same money..."
 
"Kindof the same thing I was t

"Kindof the same thing I was thinking, that motor could be great, but if not I'd be sunk trying to find parts for it.

However, at least in my area, I have been finding that anything over a 1980 motor is over $1000. The only ones that I have come across that are newer than a 1980 that isn't over a grand has problems with it. I have found some whole boat, motor and trailer packages that have been pretty reasonably priced with good motors, but the boats or trailers are junk. I don't really want to be stuck with an extra boat that I have no idea what to do with.

Any websites that have a lot of used motors in that power range? I have been looking on craigslist in my area.

Thanks,
James"
 
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