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89 Mercury Bridgeport 240hp

O

Old Hickory

Active member
Have an opportunity to pic up this motor for $3500. Has a CLE gear case; bob's nose cone w/ low water pick up. Has less than 100 hours on the rebuilt powerhead. It's local so I will be able to inspect it before buying. here's the link:

http://nashville.craigslist.org/boa/825332226.html

Question: How strong are these merc bridgeports? and how do you think the performance would be w/ a single 240hp on my enforcer? I am still planning on using a transom bracket for set up so consider that when responding.

Since gas prices have been so high I've started rethinking twins on my Enforcer rebuild. I currently have a mariner 175 and am looking at another here on the board. I'm in a bit of a quandry and looking for a little expert advice. Thanks in advance for your input.

Hick
 
They're great motors hell the lower is worth half the asking price. There's also lots of stuff you can do down the road if so desired to go faster. They are a chrome bore motor so ask if it has any sleeves, it's not aproblem if it does as that the normal repair it's just nice to know for later, also ask if the box has been modified or is stock.
 
I've got one of em...don't know how it would be on a heavy boat, they really don't have much torque...ecspecially out of the hole. Once its spinning they rip, and nothing sounds like em. Seems like a pretty fair price...I'd ask if he had top pinned pistions put in during the rebuild, I've had em fall out twice. Oh yeah, and its a pig on gas.
 
my engine is pre-bridgeport efi. basicly the same thing. it pushes my starflite pretty good. i think you may have trouble on the low end with all that weight. they are really designed to run full out on a lighter boat though.

they like to run 6500+ rpm to make full power.

I bet you would only see about 55 mph with one.
 
I had one.....

on my Starliner that I sold last year.

As previously posted the torque is not impressive, but the sound is different to anything I have ever run (2.4's, 2.5's, and my 3.2)

It was not a great motor for slalom skiing on that big hull, but the midrange was great.

What do you plan to run it on?

Good luck:bigthumb:.
 
I'm glad you guys have responded honestly. The 2.4L bridgeport dosen't sound to be what I need. My initial reasons for going w/ twins was the increase torque that twins will provide. This boat will be used primarily as a ski and fun boat. Hole shot is the number one reason that offshore fisherman use twins. The same is true for water skiers; hole shot is supreme. The bridgeport dose not appear to be my solution. I think I will stick w/ my original plan; twin 175's.

My delima is finding mid 80's merc/ mariners. 150's and 200's are abundant. 175's are scarce but much cheaper. I'll just have to be patient; a '85-'88 175 will eventually appear. The only draw back is gas consumption; which right now, is pretty darn big. the upside is....350hp is nothing to sneeze at:thumb: thanks guys.

Hick
 
Great motors but they need to build the rpms to make power. They were and are race motors. You can use them on your application if you can get your hull to let that motor let it make it's horsepower. Otherwise it will just be trying to "break out" of it's shell. They are a somewhat troublefree motor IF they are run w/ the run w/the right parameters. Otherwise they will give you all kinds of fits.

I have a 89 175 Merc carb that's been BARELY used if your'e looking for one. But not sure bout' selling it. I have a 90 2.4 EFI Bridgeport too. I love both of em' Just have them on the right applications...I guess that's why they don't miss a beat!
 
Aren't most of those 150-200 mercs & mariners the same? Could you get a 150 or 200 & just rejet the carbs & adj the timing to 175 specs rather than hold out for the elusive 175 @ the right price? I know Johnson & Evinrude work that way. BTW engine manufacturers only have to be within 10% of advertised HP ratings on outboards.

200 HP = 180 to 220 actual
175 HP = 157 to 192 actual
150 HP = 135 to 165 actual

Depending on whether you ended up with a screamer or a dog from the factory, 150 or 200 might work just fine. (then buy new 150hp decal kits & kick the crap out of unsuspecting BAJA owners!
 
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