• Welcome to the Checkmate Community Forums forums.

    You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and access to our other FREE features.
    By joining our free community you will be able to:

    » Interact with over 10,000 Checkmate Fanatics from around the world!
    » Post topics and messages
    » Post and view photos
    » Communicate privately with other members
    » Access our extensive gallery of old Checkmate brochures located in our Media Gallery
    » Browse the various pictures in our Checkmate photo gallery

    Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

    If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact support by clicking here or by using the"contact us" link at the bottom of the page.

77 Merc 150, What should I pay?????

M

MateFever

Active member
I found online a 77 Merc 150 back in October and was wanting some input on what you guys thought. Its at a dealer in Wisconsin and looks like it has had some work done to it, but they don't know anything about it. Took it in on a boat and then removed it to sell outright. They don't know if its been rebuilt or not but say it runs really well. I can tell something has been done because it has the 1750 decals on it (which I'm pretty sure they never offered on a 150) and where it should say 150 on the cowl it says Big Bird. They are asking $1699 without controls. Before I make the trip, what do you guys think it should be worth? I was going to offer them $1200 or so depending on a compression test but don't want to waste a 7 hour trip if its not worth it. Please give me some input.
​
 
That's WAYYYYY too much money for an inline. They're almost worthless now, as the cost to repair the power trim mechanism has exceeded the value of the motor. As an example, I bought a nice V6 XR2 for $1500. A good condition inline 150 is worth a grand or less (around here).
 
I'd have to seriously disagree. The main problem is that only a certain group follows inlines (religiously) and they are the best source for maintenance info and parts. Talking about an inline anywhere other than the Inline Newsgroup (server - news.kraits.org newsgroup - bigweek.mercury-inlines) is a waste of time. I'm replacing the mid on my 75 1150 with an 80's mid and have a brand new trim pump and motor with about $400 invested in the whole deal. That isn't much more expensive than many other motors out there (less than some). That'll make $1400 in the whole motor and I wouldn't trade it for anything else. It has well under 1000 hours and came from the original owner who is a friend of mine.

What you would need to consider is that the old Mercs have a funky bolt pattern. I did not want to drill a bunch of extra holes in my good hull to mount the Merc, so I rigged something up. That rig has worked fine, but is about to be replaced with that newer mid which will update the bolt pattern.

I do think that price is too high, but anything under $1500 would be pretty good if the motor looks that good and checks out. If you want it ask some questions on the newsgroup. I paid $1000 for a 115 with controls, props, etc and I knew the full history of it. I know where a 1500 is for sale by the original owner and he wants $2500. That's crazy.

"Worthless" is a strong word. At least they have character. Mine runs flawlessly. I took a long ride today and loved every minute. It's all up to you.
 
Worthless may have been too strong a word to use, but the truth is most people will have to replace the trim stuff and end up paying a dealer $1,000 to do it, which basically equals or exceeds the value of most '70's inlines.

Don't get me wrong, I love the inlines. Wonderful engines, but you have to have skills like yours to keep one going for a decent price................
 
shoot, i only paid 2 grand for my 86 200 with controls an steering. i would only pay $1000 or less for this old 150. you will have to hunt down some controls on ebay. they should run less than $100.
 
You guys are definitely right - there are better choices out there in some ways. I love the inlines, but that may just be because I have a good one.

Around here (anywhere in SC), a good Merc 150 is about $1500-2000 and a good 200 would be about $2500-3000.
 
Ok, I should have been a little more specific. This is a Black Max V6, but yes you are all right. I thought that around a grand or 1200 is respectful for a motor of that age without knowing anything about it. Is it possible to bolt other powerheads to that mid without too much issue. I know Gus put the 2.4 powerhead on his old 78 mid.
 
From what I can find online, there was no V6 150 in 1977. The 175 was the first Black Max introduced in 1977, but 1978 was the first year of the 150.

And illMATTic is right, they changed the way they measured HP around 1980. An 80's model 135 is actually probably a little more powerful than a '77 150 was.
 
Illmattic, bullitt thanks for the thoughts on the motor. I thought they had a lower rpm rating and I am well aware of the limited availability of parts. I've been holding out for a post 80's 150 for months but they always disappear before I can get my hands on them. I was really holding out for a 175 since nobody else has one. Matt, I looked at that 135 you mentioned. Nice looking motor but have to see how much it creeps up by auction end.

Bob Dodds, you are picking up the Ecxiter from Teds Boatarama in Rock Island correct? I recognize that boat, I was going to wait until spring and make them on offer but found my Predictor. It just to happens its an 82 Predictor so how much would you be interested in selling that motor for? I would be very interested in your motor judging that it runs good and compression is tight. Let me know. I know there's some 200's available on S&F, I know of a Evinrude 175XP that just needs put back together........and I can get ahold of that dealership and see what they want for that motor.
 
I would keep looking. My mate came with a 78 175. These engines are the 2.0L variety. Not much for hop up parts. Since mine had a piston go south I had a 94 2.4L built and installed on the 78 mid. If I new then what I know now I would have changed over to the new style mid when the thing was a part. The old style bolt pattern in a bit of a pain.
 
175, I was hoping you would chime in. I knew that you originally had a 1750 on there and that it was bad. That answers my question about adapting to a newer style block. So what year should I be looking for? I've been around stern drives too long. Thanks for all the input.
 
first, old inlines are worth maybe $500 running. If anyone wants to buy an inline six 1500 I will HAPPILY sell you one for $1000 US, $1300 gets you power trim and controls. I have piles and piles of this stuff.

that 150 V6 is not a very good engine, everything is different on it. Get an early 80's or newer 2.0L and with a little work it will be close to 200hp

2.4 chrome bore will spin better than a 2.5 steel bore on top end, and 2.0L will spin more than a 2.4. 2.0L engines had much thicker everything inside them, you can't wear them out, the 2.0L is by far the most durable merc.
 
Like inline six said, if you can find an XR2, it's about the perfect low-buck 150
 
WOW

I don't know where you live inline 6, and I'm not doubting you because I know you are on top of this stuff, but in SC you can't buy a good running 25hp motor for $500. Anything over 90hp brings $1000. You may as well add a zero to the HP above that and that's about what it'll cost you.

I know boats and motors bring less money in other parts of the country and you guys are lucky.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top